Spicy Pudina Pachadi - Pure Andhra Style With Spices

 The refreshing , versatile leafy vegetable which adds punching flavor to the rice , biryani , beverages is mint. Its a special leafy vegetable which spreads its refreshing flavor . Most common recipes of the mint are mint rice , mint chutney , mint raita . There are many variations in doing all of these . But this is a special one i never tasted before. I learnt this  from my Mother -in-law who is an expert in making chutneys and pickles .This is one of best sides with idlis ,rice , vada , samosa .Try it n enjoyyyy :)

Ingredients :

• Pudina : 2 cups
• Tomato : 1 big
• Oil : 2 -3 tblspn
• Salt : as required
• Spice powder : 1 tblspn
• Tamarind : small marble size
• Mustard : 1 tspn
• Cumin : 1 tspn
• Urad dal : 1 tspn
• Asefoetida : a pinch
• Curry leaves : 2 strigs

Ingredients for spice powder :

• Red chillies : 6-7
• Dhania seeds : 1 tblspn
• Cumin(jeera) : 1 tblspn
• Chana dal (senagapappu) : 1 tblspn
• Fenugreek seeds : 5-6
• Garlic : 6 pods

Preparations:

1.  Heat 1/2 tblspn of oil in a pan, fry all the ingredients of spice powder ( except garlic) in a low flame until they become golden brown color.
2.  Cool them and grind along with garlic using a mixer grinder to form a fine powder .
3. Soak tamarind in a little water seperately.

Procedure:

1. Heat 1 1/2 tblspn of oil in a pan. When the oil gets heated , add pudina leaves and saute them till they become soft
2. Add chopped tomatoes ,salt and and saute till the tomatoes turn soft.Once they become soft ,turn off the stove ,let them cool down.
3. Grind them along with the spice powder and tamarind using a mixer grinder to a fine paste like chutney .
4. Prepare the seasoning ( popu) by heating one tblspn of oil. When the oil is popping hot, add mustard , cumin seeds. When they begin to splutter, add a pinch of asefoetida ,urad dal ,curry leaves and fry till they turn golden brown.
5. Add the seasoning to the chutney and mix well.

Points to Remember:

Add tomatoes after the mint leaves are completely sauteed. Because once you add tomatoes they will not saute completely.