Mochai Kottai Sundal | Kadu Vaal Stir Fry

I am wishing you all dear readers Happy Navrathri. Navratri/Navarathri is an important major festival which is celebrated all over India. Today is the first day of Navratri (9 nights) during these nine nights, nine forms of Lakshmi/Saraswathi/Durga/Shakti/Devi are worshiped and the tenth day is commonly referred to as Vijayadashami or “Dussehra” (also spelled Dasara). During Bommai Kolu (Tamil) either sweet or savory sundal is a most popular Neivedhyam/Naivedyam/Prasad offered to God Lakshmi, so today’s recipe is one such savoury sundal /stir fry using dried beans/mochai.

Ingredients

*Mochai/Dry Whole Beans/Kadve Vaal – 3/4 Cup
Whole Green Chili – 1 Number
Red Chili or Sambar Powder – 1/2tsp (Optional)
Turmeric Powder – 1/2tsp
Curry Leaves – Few
Mustard Seeds – Few
Chana Dal – 1 Tbsp
Split Urad Dhal – 1 Tbsp
Shredded Coconut – 1-2 Tbsp
Salt – As Needed
Oil – As Needed

To Grind Coarse

Green Chili – 2 Numbers
Coconut – 2 Tbsp

*If using Kadve/Kadu Vaal it gives some bitter taste so add mentioned coconut to subtle it.

Method

Soak dal overnight or atleast 8hours(below picture) and cook in pressure cooker for 3-4 hisses.

Drain the excess cooked water and keep the cooked beans ready.
In a wide pan/kadai add oil temper mustard seeds.
When it splutters add chana and urad dal.
When dals turn light brown, add chopped green chili, sambar and turmeric powder, curry leaves.
Now add coarsely ground coconut paste, salt and when raw smell disappears, add cooked dal/mochai.
Finally add 1-2 Tbsp shredded coconut and serve hot.