Basic South Indian Soupy Split Pigeon Peas Recipes

TOOR DAL (SPLIT YELLOW PIGEON PEAS)

Steps:

• Prepare the dal: Soak the pigeon peas in a large bowl of warm water for about 1 hour. (They will have swelled a little.) Thoroughly rinse the soaked pigeon peas with fresh water, then tip the drained pigeon peas into a pot.
• Add tomatoes, turmeric, salt and 5 cups water, and bring to a boil over high. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer until very tender, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Use an immersion blender to purée some of the dal, leaving some intact and getting some very smooth, or whisk vigorously to break up some of the soft dal. Stir in the peanuts and continue to simmer, stirring occasionally, until the dal is very tender, about 30 minutes. Taste and adjust with salt. If the dal has become too thick for your liking, stir in a splash of water.
• Prepare the tempering: In a small saucepan over medium heat, warm the ghee. When hot, carefully add all of the tempering ingredients (the mustard seeds will sputter!) and swirl the pan until you can smell all the toasted spices, about 30 seconds. Pour everything over the hot dal.

HAZRAM'S SOUPY PIGEON PEAS

Steps:

• 1. Prepare the tamarind paste and the sambar powder. Then place the dal and water in a pressure cooker, secure the lid, and cook over high heat until the regulator indicated high pressure, then cook 30 seconds more. Remove from the heat and allow the pot to depressurize on its own, 12 to 15 minutes. Carefully open the lid and stir vigorously to mash the dal. Keep over low heat while you proceed with the next step.2. In a small bowl, combine the mustard seeds, asafoetida, green chili peppers, and curry leaves. In another bowl combine the coriander, sambar powder, fenugreek leaves, turmeric, and salt.3. Heat the oil in a large, nonstick wok or saucepan over moderate heat and cook the red chili peppers and onion until golden brown, about 4 minutes. Add the mustard seeds-curry leaves mixture and cook, stirring, about 1 minute. Add the tomato and cook until all the juices evaporate, about 2 minutes.4. Add the coriander-sambar powder mixture, stir about a minute, then add the tamarind paste and cook about 3 minutes. Mix in the dal and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to low, add the cilantro, and simmer about 10 minutes to blend the flavors. Transfer to a bowl and serve.From "1,000 Indian Recipes." Copyright 2002 by Neelam Batra. Used with permission of the publisher, Wiley Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

PUNJABI-STYLE SPLIT PIGEON PEAS

Steps:

• 1. Place the dal in a large saucepan and add water, salt, and turmeric. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan (partially at first, then completely), and cook, stirring occasionally, until the dal is cream, 35 to 40 minutes. As the dal cooks, some of it may foam and rise to the top. Stir the foam back into the dal. Mix in the lime juice and transfer to a serving dish. Cover and keep warm.2. Heat the oil in a small saucepan and cook the onion, curry leaves and green chili pepper, stirring, until golden, about 2 minutes. Add the cumin seeds and ginger and stir about 1 minute. Add the coriander, ground cumin, and paprika and stir about 1 minute, then transfer to the dal and swirl lightly to mix, with parts of it visible as a garnish. Top with the cilantro and serve.From "1,000 Indian Recipes." Copyright 2002 by Neelam Batra. Used with permission of the publisher, Wiley Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

COLD INDIAN SPLIT PEA SOUP

Steps:

• Pick over the peas to remove any grit & then wash and drain them.
• Place the drained peas in a large saucepan with water and turmeric. Bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat and cover. Simmer for 90 minutes or until peas are tender. Remove from heat.
• Put peas & liquid into a blender or food processor (prefer to use a hand blender in the pot). Add the lemon juice, cumin, coriander, chili, salt and pepper. Blend until smooth.
• Transfer to a serving bowl and refrigerate until cool.
• Garnish with a swirl of yogurt.

UNCLE BILL'S INDIAN SPLIT PEA SOUP

Steps:

• In a large cooking pot, add 10 cups of water and bring to boil.
• Add ham bone, bay leaves, peppercorns, whole cloves, cinnamon stick, celery including leaves, green and yellow split peas and red lentils.
• Bring to boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer for 3 hours.
• Remove from heat and let completely cool until fat gels on the top.
• Carefully skim all fat and discard.
• Remove ham bone and large ham pieces that fall off the bone and set aside.
• Leave small pieces of ham in cooking pot.
• Remove sack of cloves and cinnamon stick and discard.
• In a frying pan, heat olive oil.
• Add onion and garlic and saute' until onions are translucent.
• Transfer cooked onions to cooking pot.
• Add 8 cups of water, curry powder, turmeric, ground cumin, red hot pepper flakes, salt, carrots, and bring to boil.
• Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 1/2 hour.
• Puree' soup in batches in a food processor or blender and return to cooking pot.
• Chop ham pieces into bite size pieces and add to cooking pot.
• Adjust seasonings to taste.
• Bring soup back to boil.
• If you prefer a spicier soup, add more red hot pepper flakes or some cayenne pepper.
• Serve soup hot.