Watercress is not something that makes it into my regular shopping list. In fact, before amma came and tried this, I’d never even tasted it. It definitely has a strong flavour which I thought went beautifully with dal.
Watercress Yellow Dal Recipe
Serves 4
Recipe source: TH’s amma
Some other recipes from her: chow chow koottu | kadala kozhambu | tomato juice rasam
Ingredients:
1 bunch watercress
1/2 cup toor dal or moong dal, washed and soaked for 30 mins
1 large onion, chopped
1 tomato, chopped (optional)
1/4 tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp red chilli powder
For tempering:
1 tsp ghee or oil
1/4 tsp fennel seeds / perum jeerakam
1/4 tsp cumin powder or seeds / jeera
1/4 tsp mustard seeds
1 red chilli
A generous pinch of hing
How It’s Made:
1. Wash and chop the watercresses leaves fine. Add to the soaked dal along with the rest of the ingredients (apart form the tempering ones) into a pressure cooker with enough water to cover it by an inch.
2. Cook for 3-4 whistles or until the dal has cooked soft and mashed well with the leaves and other ingredients. Let the steam vent and keep the dal mixture ready to temper.
3. For tempering, heat ghee (or oil) in a pan and add the rest of the ingredients in the order given. When the mustard seeds start to pop and the cumin and fennel turn aromatic, dunk into the dal and keep partially closed for a while while the flavours blend. Add salt.
Serve hot with rice or roti.
not sure what you can substitute for watercress here, that's what gives it the unique flavour. try spinach?
your pictures have gotten soo good nags! Long time how've you been? Anything I can use in place of the watercress? hehe, i know thats the basis of this dish but its just not available here n the pictures look too deelish to resist trying this one out!! 🙂
Looks like TH's Anna is like my mom- will try anything green! My dad jokes that he is going to turn into a cow one day! That dal looks beautiful!
I pick up watercress whenevr I can, for salad. Never cooked with it though. I love strong tasting greens.
Hello Nags. Landed into your space (I think this is 2nd time )while browsing some food blogs. You have some gr8 dishes here. Glad to follow u via FB. Do visit my space too whenever u get time 🙂
Sharada
http://www.CinnamonNChillies.com
Hey Nags, I love the recipe but could you tell me what is watercress called in hindi or tamil?
i have never tried this but dhal looks simple and classy..
Wat a healthy and comforting dal..
Still to try watercess,dal looks so delicious
Sounds comforting dhal with rice…..Looks tempting
I ve never tried this.. But looks delicious..
Never tried watercress…love moong dal in any avatar !
Love the color. Looks vibrant and delicious..
Never cooked watercress so far,sounds good!