Chukkakura Pappu – Andhra Tangy Green Sorrel And Yellow Lentils Dal

Chukkakura Pappu

Chukkakura Pappu Andhra Style made with fresh sorrel and lentils has a super tangy flavour. Fresh sorrel is my favourite herb; if you haven’t tried it, you’re totally missing out. The leafy green tastes pretty good – nice and tart.

Chukkakura Pappu

Chukka Koora Pappu – a tangy, wholesome dal made with green sorrel and lentils – is an Andhra special sorrel recipe. This South Indian dal with chukka is simple, classic and wholly nourishing.

Sorrel, also called garden sorrel or spinach dock, is a perennial plant with edible leaves. The sharp-tasting, tangy leaves are used in soups, dals and stews.

Sorrel leaves are called chukkakura in Telugu. Chukka koora, with its broad dark green leaves, looks quite similar to spinach. Chukkakura pappu, a hearty dal made with fresh sorrel, yellow lentils and Indian spices, is a staple dish in my winter kitchen.

Green sorrel plant is rich in vitamin C and dietary fibre; the health benefits of sorrel include improving digestion and kidney health, increasing circulation, energy levels and appetite, protecting against diabetes and help in preventing cancer. Chukka koora is a low-fat, low-calorie leafy green.

Chukkakura Pappu Andhra Recipe:

Chukka koora with its fresh, lemony sourness has so much flavour and is quite easy to make. Sorrel, a sour leaf plant, is available in local Indian markets, and goes by different names – Ambat chukka, Khatta Palak, Chukka Kura and Indian Sorrel.

Chukka koora is used in dals, curries and soups. Andhra Chukka Koora Pappu combines garden fresh chukkakura with tur dal, onions, tomatoes, chillies, cumin seeds, curry leaves and spices to make a healthy, tangy dal.

To make Chukka Koora Dal, firstly wash the chukkakura well and chop finely. Also wash the tur dal. Slit the green chilli.
Then pressure cook chukka koora, tur dal, slit green chilli with turmeric and 1 cup of water till done.

Once the pressure releases, mix the dal well with a heavy ladle.

Meanwhile, slice the onions, chop tomatoes, ginger and garlic.

Heat oil in a kadai. Splutter mustards and cumin seeds. Then toss in fresh curry leaves, a broken dry red chilli and chopped garlic. Sauté for a couple of minutes.

Add the sliced onions and ginger. Sauté till the onions start to brown.

Put in the chopped tomatoes and cook till they turn mushy.

Then add the pressure cooked dal and a pinch of salt. Simmer for 1-2 minutes on medium heat till you get the desired consistency.

Remove and serve Andhra Chukka Kura Pappu with white rice.

If you are looking for more green leafy recipes, do check out Palak Matar and Radish Greens Stir Fry.

Sorrel Leaves Dal Recipe details below:

Chukkakura Pappu

Garden sorrel (Rumex acetosa) with its tart, lemony flavour is widely used in cuisines the world over. Pungent sorrel leaves have a tangy and sour flavour due to the presence of oxalic acid in the plant. The combination of toor dal with leafy greens is hearty and comforting. Try out this sorrel herb recipe.

Course Main Course

Cuisine Andhra

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 25

Total Time 35

Servings 4

Calories 59kcal

Author Shil

Ingredients

Chukkakura sorrel leaves – 1 cup, packed
Tur dal kandi pappu – 1/3rd cup
Green chilli – 1 slit
Turmeric – ½ tsp
Water – 1 cup

!Tempering:

Mustard seeds – ½ tsp
Cumin seeds – ½ tsp
Curry leaves – 1 sprig
Dry red chilli - 1
Garlic – 4 pods chopped
Ginger – 1/4 tsp chopped
Onion – 1 small sliced
Tomato – 1 small chopped
Salt – ½ tsp
Oil – 1 tbsp

Instructions

For this chukkakura recipe, wash and chop the green sorrel leaves. Wash the tur dal and pressure cook along with sorrel leaves, slit green chilli, turmeric and water. Cook dal for 1 high and 3 low whistles.
Heat oil in a frying pan. Season with mustard seeds and cumin seeds. Once they start to splutter, add curry leaves, dry red chilli and chopped garlic. Sauté for a few seconds.
Add sliced onions and ginger. Sauté for 1-2 minutes. Add the chopped tomatoes and cook till they turn soft.
Add the cooked dal and salt. Simmer for 1-2 minutes till everything comes together.
Serve Andhra Chukka Kura Dal with white rice and papad.