Wasabi Sundal
Wasabi Sundal is an innovative fusion dish that incorporates traditional South Indian flavors with a bold Japanese twist. Sundal is commonly served as a prasadam (offering) during festivals in Tamil Nadu, particularly during the Navaratri festival. It is essentially a dish made from legumes such as chickpeas, black-eyed peas, or green gram, sautéed with coconuts, mustard seeds, and curry leaves. The addition of wasabi introduces a sharp and spicy flavor that elevates the simplicity of typical Sundal, satisfying those who crave a bit of heat in their meals.
Ingredients
- White Garbanzo Beans (also known as chana or chickpeas)
- Wasabi paste
- Mustard Seeds
- Urad Dal (split black gram)
- Asafoetida (hing)
- Dry Red Chili
- Fresh Curry Leaves
- Fresh Grated Coconut
- Olive Oil or traditional coconut oil
- Salt
Preparation Steps
Soak the white garbanzo beans overnight or for at least 8 hours. This will help in cooking them evenly and reduce the overall cooking time. Use a cooking timer to track your soaking duration.
After soaking, drain the water and rinse the chickpeas well under running water.
Cook the garbanzo beans in a pressure cooker with water and a pinch of salt for 10-12 whistles, depending on the type of pressure cooker used. Alternatively, they can be cooked in an open pan until tender.
Cooking Process
Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. When the oil is hot, add mustard seeds and let them splutter.
Add urad dal to the pan and sauté until the dal turns a golden brown color.
Next, add a pinch of asafoetida and dry red chili. Stir them briefly to release their aroma.
Add a few fresh curry leaves and let them crackle in the oil.
Gently mix in the cooked garbanzo beans.
Add wasabi paste according to your heat preference. Stir thoroughly so that the beans are coated evenly with wasabi flavor.
Finally, stir in fresh grated coconut and adjust the salt as needed. Mix all the ingredients well for about a minute on low heat.
How to Enjoy Wasabi Sundal
Serve Wasabi Sundal warm as a snack or side dish. It's perfect for a high-protein snack or as an accompaniment to a traditional South Indian meal. The dish can be enjoyed during festive occasions, as a part of a meal, or even as a tea-time snack to experience a burst of culture and flavor. To truly appreciate the fusion, pair it with a glass of spiced buttermilk or a bowl of yogurt to cool down the heat from the wasabi.