25 September, 2009

Badanekayi-Eerulli Huli: This is My Legume Affair

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Badanekayi-Eerulli Huli

Wow! I can’t believe I am actually sitting here in my office and blogging!!! But after months of stress, running around and sleepless nights, I wanted to do something else to charge my batteries and obviously blogging is the first thing that came to my mind. I may still be stressed, worried sick, and running around flapping my feathers like freaking chicken but I have decided to come back and blog as it is the only creative outlet I have at a moment. And what the hell? There is nothing more relaxing at the moment than rant, ramble and vent out in my own small space in this virtual world which calms my jumpy nerves.


First of all, thanks to everyone who wished smooth house move. It indeed went smoothly and we are having lots of fun rearranging and decorating every room in our new home. Although it was bit saddening to leave our first home where we started our life together, our new house felt like home from day one we moved. It’s beyond words to describe the feeling of saying good bye to my first kitchen where I learnt to cook all by myself and where I actually did my first blog post. But at the same time, I love each and every minute of cooking in my brand new spunky kitchen that is equipped with top-end appliances. Slowly but steadily I have started cooking regularly but still haven’t had time to cook something exclusively for blog and take photos. I am sure everything will fall into old routine in few weeks time. I can go on and on rambling about our move but I will leave it for next few posts because there is so much to share!


Next I want to apologise for not posting the round-up for RCI! I know I should have done it 3 weeks back but moving houses have taken major chunk of our time and rest was spent in office trying to finish my project before deadline. Since we still have no TV, internet and phone connection at home, I am slowly putting things together during my lunch break in office. I am hoping to post RCI round-up by next weekend and I hope I’ll be able to stick to my promise this time. It sucks when I can’t fulfil my promise and trust me I am not enjoying it. So friends, give me couple of weeks to wrap up major works at home and office.


Another thing I wanted to mention is about the lovely entries I am receiving for MLLA-15th Helping. Thank you one and all. I will try to reply to all your emails ASAP. Please note that there are only few days left to send in all your entries to win these fabulous prizes sponsored by lovely Susan. So if you have already made the post but haven’t mailed, make it a point to send in all the details before 30th September, 2009.


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Badanekayi-Eerulli Huli

So what have we got today? Of course, a delicious legume recipe for MLLA-15th Helping, brainchild of Susan. The day I saw this recipe of Badanekayi Eerulli Huli posted by my good friend Vani of Mysoorean in our group blog Beyond Curries, I wanted to try it ASAP.

In Vani’s own words,
Huli is a form of dal made mainly in the Mysore/Bangalore regions of Karnataka. It is a thicker version of sambar but made with a different masala and is usually very vegetable-heavy.

During my post graduation days in beloved Bengaluru, this Badanekayi Eerulli Huli was regular dish on our Sunday lunch menu. Served with fried Papads, Majjige Menasu or some potato chips, this was a comfort food i always looked forward to enjoy on lazy Sunday afternoons. So it was inevitable that I try this recipe and re-live the hostel days… Thanks to Vani, I tried this recipe following Vani’s instructions to T. It not only takes me down the happy memory lanes but also tastes so much better than the one I remember. So without much delay let’s make some delicious Badanekayi-Eerulli Huli.

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Roasted Spices for Badanekayi-Eerulli Huli


Badanekai Eerulli Huli (Thick Lentil Stew with Eggplants and Onions)
Prep Time: 5-10 mins
Cooking Time: 30 minutes (20 minutes to cook lentils & vegetables and 10 minutes to prepare the stew)
Serves: 4-5
Spice Level: Medium
Cooking Level: Intermediate
Recipe Source: Beyond Curries
Serving Suggestions: With Rice & Papads/Chips

Ingredients:
1 medium Onion, chopped into ½ inch squares
1 medium sized Eggplant, chopped into 1 inch cubes
1½ cups cooked Toor Dal
3 tbsp fresh/frozen grated Coconut/desiccated unsweetened Coconut/Coconut Powder
¾ tsp Tamarind Paste (Adjust acc to taste)
2 tsp Jaggery or Brown Sugar (Adjust acc to taste)
Salt to taste

For Huli Masala Powder:
2 inch Cinnamon
1 tbsp Chana Dal/Split Bengal Gram
2 tbsp Coriander Seeds
4-6 Dry Red Chillies (Adjust acc to taste)
A small pinch of Hing/Asafoetida
1 tsp Oil

For Tadka/Tempering:
1 tsp Mustard Seeds
A spring of fresh Curry Leaves
½ tsp Turmeric Powder
A pinch of Hing/Asafoetida
1 tbsp Oil

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Badanekayi-Eerulli Huli

Method:
Heat a tsp of Oil in a pan and add all the ingredients listed under Huli Masala Powder. Fry it on low to medium flame until fragnant, about 2 mins. Let them cool before you grind them to fine powder.
Now add grated coconut to this masala powder and grind to smooth paste adding very little water. Keep it aside till needed.
Heat oil in a deep pan and add mustard seeds. When mustard starts to pop and splutter, add hing, turmeric powder and curry leaves.
Immediately add onions, eggplants, and about 1½ cups of water.Cover the pan with lid and cook until eggplants are tender, about 7-8 mins, on medium flame.
Next add the coconut paste, cooked toor dal and salt to taste and bring the whole mixture to gentle boil.
Add tamarind paste, jaggery and adjust the seasonsings. And cook for 2-3 minutes for all the flavours to blend well.
Serve this delicious Badanekayi-Eerulli Huli with rice, papad/chips and a dollop of Ghee and enjoy.


Notes:
The consistency of Huli is very thick as compared to Samabr. So make sure that you drain the water from dal before adding with the vegetables. Also, make sure that you use very little water when grinding the coconut paste.
Vani suggests that you can also use the combinations of other vegetables like onion and potato, chayote and balck eyed beans, green leafy vegetables, cabbage and beans.

29 comments:

  1. Welcome back Sia! good to know everything went smoothly. That huli looks yum!

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  2. This dish luks mouth watering....Now m gonna try this ASAP

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  3. Glad to see you back Sia and good to hear that you are enjoying the comforts of your new kitchen.

    This dal looks delicious.

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  4. I too liked this huli when I read in BC. A must try isn't it? happy to Note the new home felt good from Day1. We've moved too and feel the same way. Only that I'm sitting among cartons and suitcases as I'm typing this :)

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  5. Delicious curry and i want to have your new kitchen :-)

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  6. Wow super! Super cute aagi irathey nim blogs n all ur recipes are too gud.. Huli sakkarhagidhey

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  7. Such a gorgeous dish...looks prefect!

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  8. I m still struggling to pronounce the name of the dish. But the curry looks very tempting

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  9. This prep looks extremely good. I'm not so fond of aubergines, but my hubby is. He just loves them. And I love preparing it for him. Thanks for the recipe posted; I just learnt another way of preparing this vegetable to please his palette.

    Ash.......
    (http://asha-oceanichope.blogspot.com/)

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  10. Looks like a great accompaniment with rice. very comforting too.

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  11. i love the basic masala you have used! anything that has this as the base is bound to taste awesome :)

    btw, your site is taking unusually long to load, don't know if its just me.

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  12. After months and months of being a silent admirer of your blog I finally get to post a comment here.:)

    Just wanted to let you know that I appreciate the care and effort that you take in reviving old Kannadiga classics. When I really crave for something basic and when it has to be done the right way, I know that I can find it here.

    Love your blog!Thanks for sharing all these wonderful recipes :)

    I'm a newbie food blogger and would love to participate in your Legume Love Affair Event. Good luck!

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  13. this is a new dish to me..not really familiar with anything other than the usual south and north indian fare..but blogging has opened up a new world to me...this is great...congrats on your new home

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  14. Thats really great looking dish Sia..good to see you back blogging atleast even if its only for today!..:)

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  15. Oh my gosh...this looks so very wonderful and tasty. I am glad your move went well and that you are enjoying your new kitchen. Glad to read your posts once again!

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  16. Nice dish Sia! I loved your gravy recip. Corianders seeds and Byadgi dd a zing to vegetables.

    I liked the shot for the masala. The shot is crisp and well captured.

    Cheerz
    Ashwini.

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  17. Looks delicious. Like a one pot meal no? Congrats on the new home. It can be so stressful moving.

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  18. Great to hear that u love ur new kitchen, how could u survive without net?
    Great side dish for rice!

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  19. Good to see you back Sia and know you liked your new home.

    Huli sounds delicious to be eaten with rice.

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  20. Sia,
    good to see you back with this yummy recipe...
    hugs and smiles

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  21. Lovely dish Sia,

    Glad to see you back after your break. Lovely post and great clicks...Congrats on your new home too!!!

    I have sent you three entries for MLLA - 15. Please do confirm.

    Shobha

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  22. Delicious Huli,Nice click.You can visit my blog,view all recipes & post ur comment

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  23. i like your huli very much, so attractive and tempting

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  24. Nice to see the huli recipe..looks delish :)

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  25. Dear Sia, I prepared this huli yesterday. It tasted great, loved it. Thanks a lot for sharing

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  26. Hi Sia,

    I have been referring to your blog whenever I want to make home style foods.

    This huli really takes me back to my mom's cooking and thank you very much for posting.

    I tried and it really came well....hubby is in all praises.

    Thanks again and keep the good work going.

    All the best.....

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  27. Hello,

    We run an online news paper www.theindoaustimes.com and we have a
    section Vox Populi in which we publish articles. I came across your
    blog and I find it very interesting. I have a request to please allow
    us to publish your content in our news portal. We are aware of the
    copyright law and we do provide full credit to our writers. To view
    our other articles Click here and our writers profile can be find
    here. http://www.theindoaustimes.com/home/writers.html

    You can write to me at allaboutdwarka@gmail.com

    Regards
    Anu.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Hello,

    We run an online news paper www.theindoaustimes.com and we have a
    section Vox Populi in which we publish articles. I came across your
    blog and I find it very interesting. I have a request to please allow
    us to publish your content in our news portal. We are aware of the
    copyright law and we do provide full credit to our writers. To view
    our other articles Click here and our writers profile can be find
    here. http://www.theindoaustimes.com/home/writers.html

    You can write to me at allaboutdwarka@gmail.com

    Regards
    Anu.

    ReplyDelete
  29. With all the FB mania, I so much miss reading all the blog posts. Recipe search brought me back yo your lovely blog. Thanks for sharing your own thoughts & wonderful recipes. Huli on my menu today :)

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Namaste! I am Sia and welcome to Monsoon Spice, my virtual home. Thank you for all your comments, inputs and feedback. I really appreciate the valuable time you spent browsing through my recipe repertoire.

I hope you have found what you are looking for today. Feel free to leave any questions or queries you have on the recipes posted here. If you have any recipe requests, please drop a line at Ask Sia page. I will try to respond to all your queries as soon as possible to best of my knowledge.

I welcome all your valuable inputs and constructive criticism as long as it is meant to help and improve the blog. I reserve the right to delete any comments that are rude, abusive, written with the intent to advertise, contain profanity or considered spam.

I hope that you will stop by again to read my rants, learn new recipes and share your ideas. Have a good look around and enjoy your time here. Thank you once again!