Broccoli Parupu Usili

Broccoli Parupu Usili

Paruppu usili is basically a mix of lentil crumble and vegetables. Being vegetarian lentils are an important source of protein and is on the menu in one form or the other every day. Although this is a famous dish in South India I learnt this dish only after my wedding. Mostly green beans is used for this, but when my MIL visited us, she made this dish using cabbage and it tasted delicious. Ever since that I have been making usili with different vegetables like asparagus, broccoli, etc. Irrespective of the vegetable this is one tasty dish. Paruppu usili pairs very well with morkuzhambu. I have steamed the lentil balls plus I have used a healthy vegetable broccoli making this a very healthy dish. Now let us see how this is made.

Ingredients

2 big broccoli heads (about 4 cups chopped)

1 tsp oil

1/2 tsp mustard seeds

Salt

To Grind

1/2 cup channa dal
1/2 cup toor dal
3 red chillies
Pinch of asafoetida
Salt

Method
Soak the dals and red chillies for abour an hour.

Take the soaked dals in a blender.

Grind with asafoetida and salt to a coarse mix.

Make small balls with the ground mixture.

Steam the balls for about 15 minutes.

Let the balls cool for few minutes and then crumble them into small pieces.

Meanwhile steam the broccoli for say 5-10 minutes.

Heat a pan and season with mustard seeds. Add the lentil crumble. Saute for few minutes but if you want a crisper crumble saute longer.

Add the steamed broccoli and mix well. Adjust salt level if needed.

Healthy and tasty broccoli paruppu usili ready. We had it with vatha kuzhambu and kovakkai fry.

Enjoy!
Tips
1. Beans, broccoli, cabbage. kothavaranga. etc can be used for this dish.
2. The lentil crumble freezes well. With that it is very easy to put this dish together.

Broccoli Parupu Usili