Brussles Sprouts Paruppu Usili ~ Day 52

Paruppu Usili ... a combination of dals / lentils soaked, ground with red chilies, roasted until crumbly and added to variety of vegetables.  This traditional Tamil brahmin dish is usually made with cluster beans, green beans or banana flower.  Though I often make this usili with green beans, I also love making it with cabbage or cauliflower.   This healthy, nutritious and irresistible dish is best served with plain rice or as a side dish for vatha kuzhambu (spicy tamarind gravy) or mor kuzhambu (spiced yogurt gravy).

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Preparation time: 10 minutes + 2 hours soaking time

Cook time: 20 minutes

Serves: 4

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Ingredients:

• Brussels Sprouts - 1 lbs
• Mustard seeds - 1 tsp
• Urad dal - 2 tsp
• Asafoetida - 1/2 tsp
• Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
• Curry leaves - few
• Salt - to taste
• Oil - 3 tbsp

To soak and grind:

• Toor dal - 3/4 cup
• Chana dal - 1/2 cup
• Red chilies - 6
• Ginger - a small piece
• Curry leaves - 5

Method:

1. Wash and soak toor dal and chana dal along with red chilies with enough water for at least 2 hours.  
2. Once soaked, drain the water and using a food processor, grind the dal, red chilies, ginger and curry leaves to a coarse paste without adding any water.  
3. Wash brussels sprouts, remove the outer layer and cut into 4 pieces lengthwise.  Steam cook the brussels sprouts for 5 minutes.
4. Heat oil in a large skillet.  Splutter mustard seeds.  Add urad dal and fry until golden brown.  Add asafotida and curry leaves.
5. Add the ground dal mixture, turmeric powder and half of the salt.  Mix thoroughly, saute over medium low heat, stirring frequently.  Roast until the moisture evaporates and dal mixture is crumbly, about 10 minutes.
6. Add the steamed brussels sprouts and the rest of the salt.  Mix well and saute for 2 minutes.
7. Serve hot with steamed rice, vatha kuzhambu or mor kuzhambu.