COLORED BELL PEPPERS PARUPPU USILI

Paruppu usili is a traditional Tamilian dish made with vegetables and lentils. The usual veggies, which go well for this are green beans and cluster beans cooked with channa dhal. This is usually served as a side dish with rice and rasam or any spicy gravies. I tried making paruppu usili with colored bell peppers and it turned out wonderful. Since the peppers were a little bit sweeter, I increased the heat level of the dish a little bit. It was totally a tasty and colorful dish

INGREDIENTS:
1. Colored bell peppers, 2.
2. Channa dhal, ½ cup.
3. Red onions, 3.
4. Green chilies, 2.
5. Ginger-garlic paste, 1 teaspoon, (optional).
6. Red chilies, small, 2.
7. Cumin seeds, ½ teaspoon.
8. Mustard seeds, ¼ teaspoon.
9. Curry leaves and cilantro for garnishing.
10. Salt as per taste.

PREPARATION:
Soak the channa dhal for 1 hour and grind it to a smooth paste with the red chilies and cumin seeds. Transfer the contents to a stainless steel container and steam them for 15-20 minutes and let it cool (I used idli plates and idli cooker for this). Once cooled crumble them into small pieces and keep aside. Meanwhile chop the bell peppers into small bite-size pieces, dice the onions finely, and slit the green chilies into 2. Heat a pan with a tablespoon of oil. When the oil is hot enough, add the mustard seeds and let it splutter. Then add the diced onions, curry leaves, and green chilies and sauté for a few minutes until the onions turn brown. Then add the ginger garlic paste, chopped bell peppers, and salt and keep sautéing for a few more minutes. When the peppers are half-done, add the crumbled channa dhal, mix everything well and keep cooking under medium-low flame for another 5-10 minutes. Garnish with cilantro and serve with rice and any spicy gravy.