Vakkaya Pappu / Pickleberry dal

Vakkaya pappu or pickle berry dal recipe;

        Vakkaya pappu or pickle berry dal (cranberry dal ) is a  famous cuisin of Andhra pradesh. Carissa carandas is its scientific name. They look like cherries. The taste of vakkaya is different sour and tangy flavor. We can make various tasty and healthy dishes like dal, pickle, chutney and rasam .

         Ingredients :

• Vakkayalu - 200 grams
• Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
• Jeera (cumin seeds)- 1/2 tsp
• A pinch of hing
• A sprig of curry leaves
• Green chilies - 2
• Oil - 1/2 tbsp
• Red chili - 1
• Red chili powder - 1 tsp
• Salt - 2 tsps or as needed
• Tur dal  ( kandi pappu ) - 200 g

Method :

1. Wash the vakkayalu / pickle berry in water.
2. Wash and soak the tur dal for half an hour.
3. Place the vakkaya /pickle berry pieces along with tur dal  in pressure cooker.
4.  Cut them with knife and remove the seeds.
5. Cut the green chilies and red chilies into pieces.
6. In a pan heat the oil and add the mustard seeds and let them crackle.
7. Now add cumin seeds , hing and red chili pieces . Fry till aroma comes. Then add curry leaves, green chilies and fry for few more minutes.
8. Now add cooked tur dal along with cooked vakkaya pieces. Mix thoroughly.
9. Add red chili powder and salt. Mix well.  Cook for 2 more minutes.
10. Now the vakkaya pappu is ready. Serve with hot rice along with papads or curd chilies.