Paruppu Usili Mix

Ingredients:
Thur dhal - 200 gm
Channa dhal - 100 gm
Dry red chilies - 8
Asafoetida - 1 tbsp
Curry leaves - a handful

Method of Preparation:
1. Sun-dry the dhals and red chilies for a few hours.
2. Grind the ingredients to a pretty coarse powder one by one.
3. Microwave the curry leaves until they are dry and add to the powder along with asafoetida.
4. Store in an air-tight container.
5. Soak 1 1/2 cups of this usili mix in just enough water to cover the mix for about half hour.
:- You would need 1 1/2 cups of this mix to make usili with 1/4 kg of vegetable.

Usili:

1. Soak one and a half cups of usili mix in enough water to just cover it for half an hour.
2. Heat 2 tbsp oil in a kadai.
3. Splutter mustard seeds and then add 1 tbsp of split urad dhal.
4. Now add 1/4 kg of your choice of chopped vegetable and the soaked usili mix.
5. Mix well cook covered on low heat till they are done.
6. Add a handful of chopped coriander leaves and remove from fire.

:- You can make usili with french beans or cluster beans traditionally or any other vegetable of your choice for variation.

Happy cooking :)