Tomato Pappu Recipe (Andhra Style Tomato Dal)

Tomato Pappu is a classic Andhra-style dal made with toor dal and ripe tomatoes, tempered with aromatic spices. Its tangy flavor from tomatoes blends beautifully with the richness of dal, making it a perfect side for steamed rice with a dollop of ghee.

Ingredients

• Toor dal – 1 cup
• Tomatoes – 3 medium (chopped)
• Onion – 1 medium (chopped)
• Green chillies – 2 (slit)
• Turmeric powder – ¼ tsp
• Salt – to taste
• Water – 2½ cups

For Tempering

• Oil – 1 tbsp
• Mustard seeds – ½ tsp
• Cumin seeds – ½ tsp
• Hing (asafoetida) – a pinch
• Garlic – 4 cloves (crushed)
• Dry red chillies – 2
• Curry leaves – few

Preparation Process

1. Cook the Dal:

   • Wash toor dal thoroughly.
   • In a pressure cooker, add dal, tomatoes, onion, green chillies, turmeric powder, salt, and water.
   • Pressure cook for 3–4 whistles until dal is soft.

2. Mash the Dal:

   • Once pressure releases, mash the dal gently to mix tomatoes evenly.

3. Tempering:

   • Heat oil in a small pan.
   • Add mustard seeds, let them splutter.
   • Add cumin seeds, hing, crushed garlic, dry red chillies, and curry leaves.
   • Saute for a few seconds until fragrant.

4. Combine:

   • Pour the tempering into the cooked dal, mix well, and simmer for 2–3 minutes.

5. Serve:

   • Serve hot with steamed rice and ghee.

Health Benefits

• Rich in protein: Toor dal is a great source of plant-based protein.
• Boosts immunity: Tomatoes provide vitamin C and antioxidants.
• Good for digestion: Garlic and hing aid in digestion.
• Heart-healthy: Low in fat and high in fiber.

Tips

• Use ripe, juicy tomatoes for the best tangy flavor.
• Add a little tamarind juice if you like extra tanginess.
• For a richer taste, replace oil with ghee in tempering.

Variations

• Spinach Tomato Pappu: Add chopped spinach along with tomatoes for added nutrition.
• Drumstick Tomato Pappu: Add drumstick pieces while cooking dal for a unique flavor.
• Tomato Moong Dal: Replace toor dal with moong dal for a lighter version.
• Tamarind Tomato Pappu: Add 1 tbsp tamarind pulp to the cooked dal while simmering for an extra tangy and traditional Andhra taste.