Quick and easy paruppu usili

Paruppu usili is a bit time consuming to make.  First, you soak the dal, then grind it, then steam it and then sauté it with veggies.  I make it occasionally.

Paruppu Usili

The other day, my friend was talking about these moong wadis that you get in the Indian store, and how she uses it to add some protien to her pulavs and other dishes.  The next time I went to the store, I picked some up. 

These are sundried balls, made with moong dal, salt and green chilies.  You soak them in water and then use the rehydrated wadis in your dishes.  I decided to try these to make paruppu usili.  Though it does not have the authentic taste, it came pretty close to the real thing.

Here is what you need:

Moong Wadis

• 1 cup moong wadis
• 2 cups green beans, chopped (or other vegetables of your choice - cluster beans, cabbage, green bell peppers all work well)
• 2 tbsp. oil
• 1 tsp. mustard seeds
• 2 red chilies
• few curry leaves
• a pinch of hing (asafetida)
• salt to taste

Here is how I made it: 

1. Soak the moon wadis in water for ½  - 1 hour.  Drain excess water out.  Crumble the wadis with your hand.
2. Heat oil in a skillet.  Add mustard seeds, red chilies, curry leaves, and hing.
3. When mustard seeds sputter, add the drained, crumbled wadis.
4. Sautee on medium heat for a few minutes.
5. In the mean time, put the green beans in a microwave safe bowl, cover with water and steam for about 10 minutes or so, till the beans are cooked.
6. Drain the beans and add it along with salt to the wadis.  Remember that the wadis already have salt.
7. Cover and cook for a few more minutes till the paruppu usili is ready.

Paruppu Usili

Serve with rice, vathal kuzhambu, and rasam