Semolina with Vegetables

Sooji is a grainy Indian semolina; there is no substitute. Chana dal is a relative of the chickpea and urad dal is a black lentil; both of these are popular in Indian cuisine and may be found at specialty markets.

  • Serves

    serves 6

Ingredients

  • 8 tbsp. vegetable oil
  • 2 cups sooji
  • 1 tsp. chana dal
  • 1 tsp. urad dal
  • 1 tsp. brown mustard seeds
  • 4 raw cashews, split
  • 1-3 fresh hot green chiles, halved lengthwise
  • 10-12 curry leaves (optional)
  • 8 shallots, peeled and sliced
  • 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced into 1" × 1⁄4" sticks
  • 14 lb. french beans, trimmed and cut into 1" segments
  • 2 tsp. salt
  • 2 medium tomatoes, chopped
  • 12 tsp. ground turmeric
  • 1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
  • 1-2 tbsp. ghee or butter

Instructions

Step 1

Heat 4 tbsp. of the oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add sooji and fry gently, stirring constantly, until golden. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.

Step 2

Clean and dry pan. Heat remaining 4 tbsp. oil in it over medium-high heat. Add dals, mustard seeds, cashews, chiles, and curry leaves (if using). Stir until dals begin to turn red. Add shallots; stir and fry until softened. Add carrots, beans, 1⁄2 tsp. of the salt, and 1 1⁄4 cups water. Cover, raise heat, and boil until vegetables are just tender, 5–7 minutes.

Step 3

Stir in tomatoes, turmeric, 3 cups water, remaining 1 1⁄2 tsp. salt, and sooji. Cook, breaking up any lumps, over medium heat until sooji is done, 8–10 minutes. Stir in lemon juice and ghee.
  1. Heat 4 tbsp. of the oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add sooji and fry gently, stirring constantly, until golden. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.
  2. Clean and dry pan. Heat remaining 4 tbsp. oil in it over medium-high heat. Add dals, mustard seeds, cashews, chiles, and curry leaves (if using). Stir until dals begin to turn red. Add shallots; stir and fry until softened. Add carrots, beans, 1⁄2 tsp. of the salt, and 1 1⁄4 cups water. Cover, raise heat, and boil until vegetables are just tender, 5–7 minutes.
  3. Stir in tomatoes, turmeric, 3 cups water, remaining 1 1⁄2 tsp. salt, and sooji. Cook, breaking up any lumps, over medium heat until sooji is done, 8–10 minutes. Stir in lemon juice and ghee.
Recipes

Semolina with Vegetables

  • Serves

    serves 6

Sooji is a grainy Indian semolina; there is no substitute. Chana dal is a relative of the chickpea and urad dal is a black lentil; both of these are popular in Indian cuisine and may be found at specialty markets.

Ingredients

  • 8 tbsp. vegetable oil
  • 2 cups sooji
  • 1 tsp. chana dal
  • 1 tsp. urad dal
  • 1 tsp. brown mustard seeds
  • 4 raw cashews, split
  • 1-3 fresh hot green chiles, halved lengthwise
  • 10-12 curry leaves (optional)
  • 8 shallots, peeled and sliced
  • 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced into 1" × 1⁄4" sticks
  • 14 lb. french beans, trimmed and cut into 1" segments
  • 2 tsp. salt
  • 2 medium tomatoes, chopped
  • 12 tsp. ground turmeric
  • 1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
  • 1-2 tbsp. ghee or butter

Instructions

Step 1

Heat 4 tbsp. of the oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add sooji and fry gently, stirring constantly, until golden. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.

Step 2

Clean and dry pan. Heat remaining 4 tbsp. oil in it over medium-high heat. Add dals, mustard seeds, cashews, chiles, and curry leaves (if using). Stir until dals begin to turn red. Add shallots; stir and fry until softened. Add carrots, beans, 1⁄2 tsp. of the salt, and 1 1⁄4 cups water. Cover, raise heat, and boil until vegetables are just tender, 5–7 minutes.

Step 3

Stir in tomatoes, turmeric, 3 cups water, remaining 1 1⁄2 tsp. salt, and sooji. Cook, breaking up any lumps, over medium heat until sooji is done, 8–10 minutes. Stir in lemon juice and ghee.
  1. Heat 4 tbsp. of the oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add sooji and fry gently, stirring constantly, until golden. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.
  2. Clean and dry pan. Heat remaining 4 tbsp. oil in it over medium-high heat. Add dals, mustard seeds, cashews, chiles, and curry leaves (if using). Stir until dals begin to turn red. Add shallots; stir and fry until softened. Add carrots, beans, 1⁄2 tsp. of the salt, and 1 1⁄4 cups water. Cover, raise heat, and boil until vegetables are just tender, 5–7 minutes.
  3. Stir in tomatoes, turmeric, 3 cups water, remaining 1 1⁄2 tsp. salt, and sooji. Cook, breaking up any lumps, over medium heat until sooji is done, 8–10 minutes. Stir in lemon juice and ghee.

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