KADALA THORAN

 I make this thoran as a side dish for uppuma. Rava uppuma, kadala thoran , pappadam and pazham is a very good combination as breakfast. 

INGREDIENTS

1. Black chana (kadala) - 1 cup

2. Water - 2 1/2 cups

3. Grated coconut - 1/2 cup

4. Small onion - 3-4

5. Garlic - 1 clove

6. Red chillis - 2 + 1

7. Turmeric powder - 1/4 tea spoon

8. Garam masala powder - 1/4 tea spoon

9. Coconut oil - 1 1/2 table spoon

10. Mustard seeds - 1 pinch

11. Curry leaves - 2 sprigs

METHOD

1. Soak kadala for 8-10 hours. (small kadala is best for thoran). Pressure cook with water for 10-15 minutes. Add salt and mix. Heat without lid for some time to drain  excess water.

2. Heat 1/2 table spoon oil in a pan and stir fry the coconut, 2 red chillis, onion and garlic till  coconut starts changing colour (dont make it brown. The thoran will taste like theeyal) Turn off heat , add turmeric and garam masala powders and mix. ( If you dont want to add garam masala powder, fry a pinch of fennel seeds with coconut etc ) Grind coarsely.

3. Heat 1 table spoon oil in another pan and splutter mustard seeds. Fry red chilli and curry leaves. To this add cooked black chana and stir well.

4. Add coconut paste in the middle and cover with chana . Close with a lid and cook for 2-3 minutes on low flame.

5. Mix and cook again on low heat for some more time.