Colorful Kadappa

Kadappa, for me a place in Andra Pradesh, India till two years ago, I never know this as a South Indian recipe. When ever I ask Karthik, what to prepare for dinner, always his reply will be Puri Kadappa or Idli Kadappa, or Pongal Kadappa, the list goes endless with kadappa. I am not kidding, he always asks the same to me. This is his favorite recipe.

Its very simple, rich in flavour and easy to make. Long ago, my in-law told this recipe over phone. I did so many plus and minus to the recipe and arrived this final version. I have not tasted this recipe anywhere still. So I don't know the real taste of the kadappa. All I know is only my version. Longing to taste this recipe soon some where !

Ingredients : 1/4 cup -- Moong Dal 1 no -- Medium Potato 1 no -- Medium size Tomato 1 no -- Medium size Onion 1/2 tsp -- Turmeric 1/4 cup -- Coconut milk** Few strands of curry leaves Salt to taste 2 tsp -- Oil 1/2 tsp -- Fennel seeds 1 " length -- Cinnamon Flavouring Ingredients : To be ground into a fine paste 4 tbsp -- fresh grated coconut 4 tbsp -- Roasted gram 1 no -- Cloves 1/4 tsp -- Poppy seeds (Kasakasa) 1/2 tsp -- Fennel seeds 1 no -- Cardamom 2-3 -- Garlic pods 4 nos -- Green chilly ** Few Ginger Method : --- I know you people will be surprised to see a whole list of Masala items in the flavouring column, these ingredients gives that fantastic flavour to this dish. According to your taste, you can add or reduce the items and the amount. --- Pressure cook the moong dal and potato. --- While that is cooking, grind all the flavouring ingredients and dice the tomato and the onion. --- Heat up a sauce pan to medium heat with the oil and once it is hot, add the fennel seeds and the cinnamon stick. --- Then add the diced onions and saute them for few minutes, add the ground masala mixture to the onion along with the turmeric powder and saute the mixture till the raw smell of the mixture turns into nice aroma. --- To the onion mixture add the diced tomatoes, curry leaves and cooked dal. --- Peel the potato skin and dice them into small cubes and add to the dal. According to the gravy consistency add the water. --- Cook the dal mixture for one boil and turn the heat off. Oops, forgot to add salt. Add salt and mix well before turning off the heat. --- Now add the coconut milk to the kadappa and mix well. This step is optional, this is the first time I tried it and the taste was extra ordinary.

Hot yummy kadappa is ready to serve along with your wonderful Pongal, Idli, ...