Asparagus Parupu Usili/ Asparagus lentil curry

Ingredients

3/4 cup.        -  Tur dal
3.                -  Red Chillies
1/2 tsp.      -  Mustard Seeds
1/8 tsp.      -  Turmeric Powder
1/4 tsp.      -  Asafoetida
1 bunch.   -  Asparagus
3 tsp.         -  Coconut oil or sesame oil
Salt to taste

1.  Soak the tur dal in water for 1/2 hour

2.  Drain the water and add the tur dal, turmeric powder, red chillies and salt to a mixer jar. Grind it without adding water.   You can grind it using pulse option

3.  Steam the ground paste in idli plate for 15 mts.  After steaming let it cool completely and pulse it in a mixer jar. 

4.  In a pan add 2 tsp coconut oil (Coconut oil gives good taste to the usili) and add the dry ground steamed dal.  Saute for about two minutes and switch off the flame. 

4.  In a pan add 1 tsp. oil.  Add chopped asparagus and salt to it.   Saute till the asparagus is well cooked on medium flame.  When asparagus is cooked well add the sauteed dal and mix well.  Switch off the flame.