Senagapappu Carrot Kura // Chana dal(Bengal gram) Carrot Curry

Konaseema is one of the most beautiful place in East Godavari of Andhra State. Paddy fields, Mango groves, Clumps of Coconut tress, greenery everywhere and not but not least tasty food. In East Godavari, we have lots of coconut trees and use coconut a lot in making curries, fries and sweets. We make paste out of coconut, cashews, poppy seeds and use this paste in making Non-vegetarian curries and in vegetarian masala curries to give rich taste and sprinkle grated coconut in fry recipes. We use fresh or dry coconut directly than using coconut milk. According to my knowledge, along with fresh coconut, coconut milk is also used mostly in Malayali cuisine and coconut milk in some Asian countries in making curries and soups. But due to food globalization, we all started adopting food habits of other regions and countries and giving local food a new twist. Coconut milk got fame and everyone started using it in many ways in their food to give a mark to their recipes with rich taste. 

Today's recipe is very simple and easy to prepare and require very simple ingredients like fresh coconut, chana dal and carrot. 

Some people will have bloating problem after consuming lentils/dals. Some tips to reduce this problem are soaking the lentils/dals for over night or atleast for 1 to 2 hours. After soaking them, rinse them thoroughly and cook in fresh water. In olden days, when there are no cookers, people used to cook dal in a vessel or pot and remove the foam which forms on top, which causes bloating problem. This tip is told by a nutritionist in a TV program. Try cook dal in a vessel.

Time : 25 to 30 minutes
Serves : 2 to 3

Ingredients:

• Uncooked Senagapappu/Chana dal - 1/2 cup
• Carrots - 2 ( Approx 1 cup)
• Grated Coconut - 3 tbsp
• Green chilies - 2
• Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
• Salt to taste  

For Tempering/Poppu:

• Avalu/Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
• Jeera/Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp
• Crushed Garlic Cloves - 3
• Red chilies - 2
• Curry leaves - 1 spring
• Oil - 2 tbsp

Preparation:

• Wash and soak senagapappu/chana dal atleast for 1 hour and cook it by adding water up to 2 whistles or till it turn soft and drain the water OR cook in a vessel until done. Don't throw the water, we can make rasam with it. (Dal shouldn't be mushy)
• Parboil the carrot pieces and drain the water and store to make rasam.
• Heat oil in a pan, add crushed garlic, avalu/mustard seeds, jeera/cumin seeds, red chilies, and fry till they turn brown.(Don't forget add garlic as it add extra flavor)
• Add curry leaves, split green chillies and turmeric powder and fry for a minute.
• Add parboiled carrot to the tempering and cook for 3 to 4 minutes and add cooked chana dal/senagapappu, mix well and cook for a minutes on low heat and add grated coconut, salt and cook for 2 to 3 minutes.
• Serve with rice or roti. If serving with hot rice, add dollop of ghee.