Thotakura pappu (Amaranth leaves Dal)

• Thotakura pappu is a very common dal in the Andhra house holds. I remember my mom making this dal at least twice a week. After moving to U.S Amaranth leaves have become like a childhood memory for me. I don’t see them that often in the Indian grocery stores here. But when i do find them, I don’t miss a chance in making this dal.

• Pappu (dal) with some kind of greens or veggies is very common in Andhra. Pappu with hot rice, a dollop of ghee and avakaya (mango pickle) on the side are sure to please your taste buds. Simple and clean flavors which takes me down the memory lane.

• Preparation is very simple. Take the amaranth leaves with toor dal, onion, green chille and tomato to a pressure cooker. Cook until soft and finally do the tempering. It can’t get any simpler than this.

Recipe:

• Toor dal: half cup
• amaranth leaves- a bunch
• onion- 1/2
• Red juicy tomato- 1
• Green chille- 3 to 4
• Tamarind paste- 2 tsp
• and salt.

Procedure:

Cut the onion, green chille and tomatoe into small pieces. Wash the Amarath leaves, drain the water and chop them. Now take the toor dal, amarath leaves, green chille, onion and tomato with a pinch of turmeric in a vessel. Cook it in the pressure cooker till soft.

Once cooked, mash a bit and do the tempering with a tsp of oil, few mustard seeds, 1/2 tsp chana dal, 1/2 tsp cumin seeds, few curry leaves and a pinch of asafoetida.

Add the tempering to the cooked dal mixture. Now add the salt and tamarind and return the dal mixture to the stove and cook for another five minutes.

Serve the pappu with hot rice.

Pizza with nan

Pizza is definitely a comfort food. Who can resist a slice of pizza with a crispy crust, sweet and tangy tomato sauce , hot Jalapeno and to mellow it down some melted mozarella. This is one of those foods which i am totally addicted to.

Being a vegetarian my toppings pretty much remain the same. Onion, peppers, mushrooms and Jalapeño. Since i am not fond of olives,I generally avoid them.

NY has some of the best pizzas i have ever tasted. Thin crust, but generously a big size is sure to please your taste buds.

I make pizza at home with the help of some store bought ingredients.

A perfect replace for pizza dough can be found in Indian nan.

One nan with your favorite veggies, may be a salad and a soft drink can be one ultimate satisfying meal.

I made pizza for Valentines Day. So, what did you guys cook up …..

Recipe :

Nan (From Indian store)- 2

Small onion -1 (cut half inch lenght wise)

Red and green bell pepper – 1/2 each (cut half inch length wise)

Jalapeno- 1 (chopped)

Red crushed pepper

Tomato sauce (any brand, ok)

Shredded mozarella cheese ( I used the low fat) and

Olive oil.

• Take a pan add a bit of olive oil and fry the onion with a pich of salt and crushed red pepper. Cook just until they become little soft . Keep them a side.

• In the same pan sautee the jalapeno, red and green peppers with a pinch of salt. Cook just for two minutes. Keep them a side.

• Now take a nan add a layer of tomato sauce. Top it with onion, red, green pepper and some red crushed peppe. Finally top it with shredded mozzarella cheese.

• Put it in the toaster oven and cook it just until cheese starts melting.

• Since its just two of us, Instead of regular oven i make my pizza in the toaster oven. I dont put any foil or a plate in the bottom of pizza while its cooking. Since the heat comes directly in contact with the surface, you get a nice crispy base.

Note:

• If you are making for more than two, I would recommend making the pizza in the regular oven.

• Don’t over cook the veggies, you still want to have a bite to it.