{"id":"008f2b5d-81c6-4773-8a2b-becc56858172","url":"https://recipestripper.com/recipes/008f2b5d-81c6-4773-8a2b-becc56858172","source_url":"https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/tomato-dal-andhra-tomato-dal/","title":"Tomato Pappu (Andhra Dal With Tomatoes)","description":"Tomato Pappu is a traditional Andhra lentil dish made with tur dal (pigeon pea lentils), tomatoes, onions, green chilies, and a tempering of spices and curry leaves in ghee or oil. It has a tangy, spiced flavor and is typically served with hot steamed rice, a drizzle of ghee, papad and a side of avakaya pickle or vegetable stir-fry.","servings":4,"servings_text":"4","prep_time":"PT15M","cook_time":"PT15M","total_time":"PT30M","image_url":"https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/tomato-pappu-1.jpg","ingredients":[{"text":"½ cup toor dal ((tuvar dal, pigeon pea lentils))","item":"toor dal ((tuvar dal, pigeon pea lentils))","quantity":0.5,"unit":"cup"},{"text":"2 tablespoons oil (or ghee)","item":"oil","quantity":2,"unit":"tbsp","preparation":"or ghee"},{"text":"½ teaspoon mustard seeds","item":"mustard seeds","quantity":0.5,"unit":"tsp"},{"text":"½ teaspoon cumin seeds","item":"cumin seeds","quantity":0.5,"unit":"tsp"},{"text":"⅓ to ½ cup or (1 medium-sized) onion (- finely chopped)","item":"or (1 medium-sized) onion","quantity":0.3333333333333333,"quantity_max":0.5,"unit":"cup","preparation":"- finely chopped"},{"text":"10 to 12 curry leaves","item":"curry leaves","quantity":10,"quantity_max":12},{"text":"1 green chili (- chopped)","item":"green chili","quantity":1,"preparation":"- chopped"},{"text":"1 teaspoon ginger garlic paste (- 1 inch ginger + 3 to 4 medium garlic cloves crushed to a paste in a mortar)","item":"ginger garlic paste","quantity":1,"unit":"tsp","preparation":"- 1 inch ginger + 3 to 4 medium garlic cloves crushed to a paste in a mortar"},{"text":"1 to 1.25 cups or (2 medium-sized) tomatoes (- finely chopped)","item":"or (2 medium-sized) tomatoes","quantity":1,"quantity_max":1.25,"unit":"cup","preparation":"- finely chopped"},{"text":"¼ teaspoon red chili powder (or cayenne pepper)","item":"red chili powder","quantity":0.25,"unit":"tsp","preparation":"or cayenne pepper"},{"text":"¼ teaspoon turmeric powder","item":"turmeric powder","quantity":0.25,"unit":"tsp"},{"text":"1 pinch of asafoetida ((hing))","item":"asafoetida ((hing))","quantity":1,"unit":"pinch"},{"text":"2 cups water (- for pressure cooking)","item":"water","quantity":2,"unit":"cup","preparation":"- for pressure cooking"},{"text":"salt (as required)","item":"salt","preparation":"as required"},{"text":"1 to 2 tablespoons coriander leaves (- chopped)","item":"coriander leaves","quantity":1,"quantity_max":2,"unit":"tbsp","preparation":"- chopped"}],"instructions":[{"number":1,"text":"Pick and rinse arhar dal a couple of times in fresh water. Then soak the arhar dal (pigeon pea lentils) in fresh water for 15 to 20 minutes.","section":"Soaking arhar dal"},{"number":2,"text":"Later drain all the water from the dal and keep the arhar dal aside.","section":"Soaking arhar dal"},{"number":3,"text":"Heat oil or ghee in a stovetop pressure cooker.","section":"Cooking lentils, tomatoes, spices"},{"number":4,"text":"Add the mustard seeds first and let them crackle on low to medium-low heat.","section":"Cooking lentils, tomatoes, spices"},{"number":5,"text":"Next add the cumin seeds and let them splutter.","section":"Cooking lentils, tomatoes, spices"},{"number":6,"text":"Add the finely chopped onions, curry leaves and chopped green chilies. Sauté the onions stirring often on low to medium-low heat till they soften and turn translucent.","section":"Cooking lentils, tomatoes, spices"},{"number":7,"text":"Add the ginger-garlic paste and saute for a few seconds on a low to medium-low heat or until their raw aroma goes away.","section":"Cooking lentils, tomatoes, spices"},{"number":8,"text":"Next add the finely chopped tomatoes, red chili powder, turmeric powder, asafoetida (hing) and salt as required.","section":"Cooking lentils, tomatoes, spices"},{"number":9,"text":"Saute for 2 to 3 minutes on a medium-low to medium heat.","section":"Cooking lentils, tomatoes, spices"},{"number":10,"text":"Add the lentils and water. Stir and mix well.","section":"Cooking lentils, tomatoes, spices"},{"number":11,"text":"Close and seal the cooker tightly with its lid. Pressure cook on high heat for 7 to 8 whistles (about 9 to 10 minutes) or until the lentils are softened and cooked completely. Timing to cook dal will depend upon the quality of dal, size of pressure cooker and intensity of heat.","section":"Making tomato pappu"},{"number":12,"text":"When the pressure drops naturally in the cooker, then only remove the lid.","section":"Making tomato pappu"},{"number":13,"text":"Mash the dal lightly. If the consistency is thick then add water as required to get a medium consistency in the dal. Stir and mix well.","section":"Making tomato pappu"},{"number":14,"text":"Simmer the tomato dal for 5 to 6 minutes on a low to medium-low heat till you get a dal which is neither thin nor thick but having a medium consistency.","section":"Making tomato pappu"},{"number":15,"text":"Once you get the right consistency, check the taste and add more salt if required.","section":"Making tomato pappu"},{"number":16,"text":"Garnish with chopped coriander leaves.","section":"Making tomato pappu"},{"number":17,"text":"Serve Tomato Pappu hot or warm with steamed rice, avakaya or preferred mango pickle and vegetable stir-fry.","section":"Making tomato pappu"},{"number":18,"text":"While serving you can add a bit of ghee.","section":"Making tomato pappu"}],"date_published":"2026-10-30T23:51:12.326319+00:00","date_modified":"2026-10-30T23:51:12.326319+00:00"}