Yam lentil/ chena parippu/ zaminkand dal curry

Today I want to share yam lentil curry with you. Yam is rich in nutrients and fiber. It is considered a slimming food. Yam reduces blood pressure and balances our cholesterol level. It is good for women as it helps maintain hormonal balance. It provides relief from pre-menstrual syndrome as it is rich in vitamin B6. Dietitians suggest not to peel off the skin before cooking.

I learned this recipe from my father in law. I am not a die hard fan of yam. Because it causes our hands to itch when we cut its skin off . So mostly I avoid buying yam. But last weekend I got some good chopped yam from the Indian store. So I decided to make this curry and share it with you.

Over to the recipe now:

Ingredients:

Yam, peeled and cubed into bite sizes- 2 cups

Lentil/ Tur dal- 1/2 cup

Shallots-4

Garlic cloves- 4

Tamarind- gooseberry size

Cumin seeds-1/2 tsp

Turmeric powder-1/4 tsp

Red chili powder- 1 tsp

Grated coconut-1/2 cup

Salt- to taste

Mustard seeds-1/2 tsp

Curry leaves- a sprig

Oil- 1 tsp

Method:

Soak tamarind in a cup of water for 10 minutes. Extract the juice and discard the pulp.

Add grated coconut, shallots, garlic and cumin seeds in to blender and grind to a fine paste.

Pressure cook lentil for 4-5 whistles. Mash well and keep aside.

Cook yam in 1 cup water with turmeric, chili powder and salt. Alternatively, you can pressure cook yam and lentil together.

When the yam is half cooked, add tamarind water and cook until yam becomes soft.

Add in the cooked dal, ground paste, enough water and cook until the raw smell of coconut goes and desired consistency is reached. Remove from the flame.

Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds. When the mustard seeds splutter, throw in curry leaves. Saute for a second. Remove from the flame and pour it over the curry.

Yam lentil curry is ready. Serve it with rice.

Note: 1)This curry will thicken as it cools. So if it thickens too much, add warm water and boil a bit.

2. Greasing hands with oil before cutting yam will prevent it causing hands to itch.
   
   
3. Cook yam in tamarind water properly, else it will cause our mouth to itch too.

See you all with another delicious recipe!

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