This dish showcases a delightful crumble made from coconut and lentils. There are actually three different types of crumble mentioned in Meekakshi Ammal’s books Cook and See. The Green Bean Paruppu Puttu, is one example. Paruppu Puttu is another. And this is the third.

In this dish the longer coconut shreds were used, but traditionally grated or powdered coconut would be used.

Have a look at our collection of Thoran recipes.

You might also want to try Bean Paruppu Usili, and Dhal Puttu. All Lentil Crumble dishes are here. You might like to browse all of our Kerala recipes. Perhaps you are looking for other Thoran/Poriyal recipes , or other Vegetable Fry recipes. Or explore our Indian recipes. And explore our Late Winter recipes.

Notice that when you are using coconut in one of Ammal’s crumble Poriyals, she par-cooks the lentils prior to sauteing them with the vegetables, spices and coconut.

Carrot Thengai Poriyal – Carrot Curry with Coconut Lentil Crumble



Source : from Cook and See Part 1, by S. Meenakshi Ammal

Cuisine: South Indian, Tamil

Prep time: about 10 mins

Cooking time: 15 – 20 mins for lentils and 10 sauteing

Serves: 3 – 4 people depending how you are using it.



ingredients

350g carrots, peeled

1/2 tspn salt

o.25 tspn turmeric powder

0.25 cup toor dal (red gram dal)

1 tspn anise seeds

pinch chilli powder, or to taste

3 – 4 tspn ghee

1 tspn mustard seeds

2 tspn split white urad dal (black gram dal)

3 dried red chillies

pinch asafoetida

curry leaves

1/2 tspn sugar (optional)

1 heaped Tblspn grated coconut

method

Finely dice the peeled carrots and cook in boiling water with the turmeric and salt until just cooked to your liking. Do not overcook. Drain the carrots.

Cook the toor dal for about 15 – 20 minutes till about half cooked. Drain the toor dal.

Fry off the anise seeds in a tiny bit of ghee, then grind them in a mortar and pestle or spice grinder.

Heat the ghee in a pan, kadhi or small wok. Add the mustard seeds and allow to pop. Add the pinched dried red chillies and black gram dal. Saute until the dal is golden in colour.

Add the drained carrots, the toor dal, asafoetida and the curry leaves with the sugar if using, and the grated coconut. Add the chilli powder and the anise powder. Stir to mix well, and then saute for a few minutes and serve.

recipe notes and alternatives

Save the cooking water from the carrots and dal to make rasam our soup.

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