Seeraalam - Roasted Lentil Curry

SEERAALAM


Feeling happy and relieved after the book release. Now that I am back to my food blogging I am posting the recipe of SEERAALAM - a roasted lentil curry, which was hibernating all along  in my draft. 
Urulaikizhangu Roast and  Bisibele Bath is my family's favourite combo for a Sunday lunch. Potatoes that too roasted ones were taboo for my cousins who were pursuing a particular diet. Hence when they joined us for a Sunday Bisibele, I prepared SEERAALAM instead. They mistook the curry for roasted Senaikizhangu/Elephant Yam  Curry until they tasted it.

INGREDIENTS
Green gram dal  - 2 cups
Green chilly - 1
Fresh ginger - 1'' piece
Turmeric powder - 1 pinch
Salt - 1 pinch

FOR SEASONING
Sesame oil - 2 tbsps
Mustard seeds - 1/4 tsp
Split black gram dal - 1/2 tsp
Asafoetida - 1 pinch
Curry leaves - a few
Salt - 1tsp

METHOD
1. Wash and soak Green gram dal at least for an hour.
2. Drain the dal when it is soft and grind together with green chilly, ginger, turmeric powder and a pinch of salt.  Add water as required and grind into a smooth and fluffy batter.
3. Grease the idly plates ( I used Tattae Idly plates) and pour a ladle of batter into each plate.
4. Steam the lentil "idlies" in a pressure cooker for 15 minutes without the weight.
5. Allow the 'idlies" to cool down.


6.Chop the "idlies" into small cubes.


7. Heat oil in a heavy bottomed pan and add mustard seeds.
8. When the mustard seeds splutter add the split Black gram dal and roast till it turns golden in colour.
9. Add asafoetida and the curry leaves.
10. Finally add the cubed lentil ''idlies'' into the seasoning and sprinkle the sambar powder and salt.


11. Stir well using a spatula so that the Seeraalam is coated well with the spice and seasoning.


12. Cover with lid and cook on low flame for three minutes.
13. Remove the lid and roast the curry on low flame till it becomes crisp, stirring now and then.


Enjoy the flavoursome and crisp Seeraalam with your favourite meal

Comments

Priya Suresh said…
Very interesting and a fantastic curry..Quite nutritious.
lovely. tried it and it came out pretty well. and could eat it by itself.
thanks.
Thank you Priya and Shanthi. That is very encouraging.