Pudina Thogayal/Mint Paste

Today i start Valli's BM #15 & this time its going to be 7 days of Accompaniments! For the very first day i choose Pudina or Mint Thogayal...I am just thinking how can i best describe a Thogayal :).. A thicker version of chutney maybe???..Hmmm..not exactly doesn't taste like chutney really! Thick as a dip..true! The base of a thogayal (pronounced as Tho-ga-yal) is mainly lentils & chillies.. 

This is usually done when you don't want to cook anything elaborate like a kozhambu/sambhar or Kootu and want to keep it simple :).. especially after a long travel, when you want a quick fix, yet a tasty one..then this is the answer! There are so many variations to it & we absolutely love it.. Some rice, ghee & thogayal.. I am one happy person.. Not just because i love the taste but also the fact that i have to spend just a few minutes in the kitchen :D

Ingredients
1. Pudina/Mint Leaves - 2 bunches
2. Urad Dal - 2 tbsp
3. Red Chillies - 3-4
4. Peppercorns - 4-5
5. Hing - a pinch
6. Tamarind paste - pea size or less than 1/4 tsp
7. Salt - a pinch or to taste
8. Water - 1/4 cup
9.Oil - 1 tsp


Preparation Time!!
1. In a pan, add the oil & then add urad dal, red chillies,peppercorns and hing. Saute till the dal turns brown. Remove & cool it

2. In the same pan, add washed Mint leaves and sauté till the raw smell goes. The mint leaves really shrink in size

3. Transfer this to the blender too & once cooled, add tamarind, a little salt and water and grind to paste

Thats it the Thogayal is ready! Told you this was easy breezy & yum too :)..Some other variations of thogayal likeParuppu(Toor Dal) thogayal & Coconut Thogayal can be found in my space!

Mix this with rice & ghee & enjoy :).. 


Pointer
I personally prefer to grind it to a little less fine mixture! A little dal as i have with rice is something i like..you could grind to a fine paste too :)


Serving: 2 people
Duration: 15 minutes

Check out the Blogging Marathon page to see what other Blogging Marathoners are doing this BM#15