Paruppu Thogayal / Thuvayal

Paruppu Thogayal/thuvayal is a South-Indian side-dish that can be described as thick lentil chutney that is ground with red chillies, lots of black peppercorns and a pinch of asafoetida. It is simple, it's deceptively tasty, healthy, and such a comfort food!

Ingredients (serves 2-4):

1. 1 cup uncooked thoor dhal / yellow lentils / thuvaram paruppu
2. 1 red chilly (add more for a spicy version)
3. 1.5 teaspoons black pepper corns
4. 1/4 teaspoon hing / asafoetida
5. 1 teaspoon salt
6. 1.5 tablespoons vegetable oil / olive oil
7. 1/4 cup water or as needed to grind the thuvayal

Preparation:

1. Heat oil in a medium sized skillet
2. When hot, add red chilly, peppercorns and hing and fry on medium heat for a minute.
3. Add thoor dhal and fry on medium heat until the dhal begins to slightly change color to an orangish shade. Remove from heat and cool.
4. When cool, grind the dhal with salt, by slowly adding water as needed to grind the thuvayal to a slightly coarse paste. Adjust the quantity of water as needed to get the thuvayal to your desired consistency. The thuvayal should be thicker than chutney in consistency. 

Serve with rice mixed with some ghee/clarified butter or sesame oil. Such a yummy comfort food with Vatha Kuzhambu.