Sri Lankan Parippu Hodi (Dhal Curry)
A comforting and staple curry in Sri Lankan households, Parippu Hodi is a creamy and mildly spiced dhal (lentil) curry cooked with coconut milk and aromatic spices. It's a versatile side dish that pairs well with rice and other curries.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 cup Red lentils (Masoor dhal)(rinsed thoroughly)
- 3 cups Water(for cooking lentils)
- 1 cup Coconut milk(thick)
- 1 medium Onion(thinly sliced)
- 3 cloves Garlic(thinly sliced)
- 1 slit Green chilies(adjust to taste)
- 10 sprigs Curry leaves
- 0.5 tsp Turmeric powder
- to taste Salt
- 1 tbsp Coconut oil(for tempering)
- 1 tsp Mustard seeds(for tempering)
- 2 for tempering Dried red chilies(broken into pieces)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
In a pot, combine the rinsed red lentils with 3 cups of water and turmeric powder. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for about 15-20 minutes, or until the lentils are very soft and mushy. Mash any remaining lumps with a spoon.
- 2
Add the sliced onion, garlic, slit green chilies, and curry leaves to the pot with the cooked lentils. Stir well and simmer for another 5 minutes.
- 3
Pour in the thick coconut milk and season with salt. Stir gently and cook on low heat for about 5-7 minutes, until the curry thickens slightly. Do not boil vigorously after adding coconut milk, as it may curdle.
- 4
While the curry simmers, prepare the tempering. Heat coconut oil in a small pan over medium heat. Add mustard seeds and let them splutter. Then add the broken dried red chilies and curry leaves, and sauté for a few seconds until fragrant.
- 5
Pour the tempering mixture over the dhal curry. Stir gently to combine. Serve hot with rice and other Sri Lankan dishes.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Ensure the lentils are well-rinsed to remove any impurities.
- ✓Adjust the consistency by adding more or less water or coconut milk.
- ✓For a richer flavor, use freshly extracted thick coconut milk.
🔄 Variations
- Spicy Parippu: Add more green chilies or a pinch of chili powder to the curry.
- Garlic Parippu: Increase the amount of garlic for a more pronounced garlic flavor.
- Vegetable Parippu: Add finely chopped vegetables like carrots or beans along with the onions.