Pitlai Pitlai is a thicker version of sambar which...

Pitlai

Pitlai is a thicker version of sambar which is served with Paruppu sadam. [Dal Rice]
Pitlai can be prepared with Bitter gourd, Brinjal etc.
Another version of this Pitlai can be made with Vegetables and Chickpeas.

Ingredients Needed:
1. Bitter gourd 3 (Cut into round pieces, apply salt and keep it aside for 30 minutes)
2.Tamarind water 1 cup (small gooseberry size tamarind soaked in water)
3. Salt to taste
4. Turmeric Powder
5. Jaggery
6. Hing
7. Cooked Chick peas (Optional)
8. Cooked Tur Dal 1 cup

Ingredients for Paste
1. Dhania seeds (Coriander) 2 tsp
2. Channa dal 1 tsp
3. Urad dal 1 tsp
4. Black pepper 6 to 7 nos
5. Dry red chillies 3 to 4 (according to taste)
6. Grated coconut 4 tablespoons.
7. Rice 1/4 tsp
8. Oil 2 tsp

Ingredients for tempering:
1. Mustard seeds
2. Curry leaves
In oil add all items except coconut and fry till golden brown and keep it aside In same oil fry grated coconut till golden and keep it separate. Add 2 tablespoons of fried coconut to the above ingredients and make coarse paste.
Method:
1. Squeeze Bitter gourd pieces to remove excess bitterness.Cook separately with turmeric powder and keep it aside.
2. In a vessel pour tamarind water, cooked Bitter gourd pieces, Hing, Salt, Jaggery and cook till raw smell of tamarind goes.
3. Now goes cooked Tur dal, Chickpeas, Grinded paste and cook till gravy thickens.
4. Temper with Mustard seeds, Curry leaves and pour over this pitlai.
5. Now add remaining fried coconut.

# Serve hot with rice. #

To give crunchy bites, I had added while tempering 2 tsp of channa dal.