Recipe: Kottu

Total time: 2 hours, 15 minutes

Servings: 4

Note: This south Indian soup is from Palwinder Kaur of Madras Tiffin Café in Cerritos. Channa dal is a lentil-like legume and is available at Indian markets.

1 cup channa dal

6 cups water

Salt

1/3cup shredded cabbage

2 tablespoons thinly sliced red or green bell pepper

3/4 teaspoon turmeric

1 tablespoon oil

1 tablespoon black mustard seeds

10 curry leaves, or more to taste

4-5 small hot dried chiles (cayenne)

1. Wash the channa dal well, picking through and removing any dark pieces. Bring the water to a boil in a saucepan and add salt to taste. Add the channa dal, return to boil, then reduce the heat to simmer and cover. After 40 minutes, add the cabbage, bell pepper and turmeric. Continue cooking until the dal is thoroughly cooked and soft, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours longer.

2. Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the mustard seeds, curry leaves and chiles and cook until fragrant, about 1 to 2 minutes, reducing heat if necessary to avoid splattering. Stir the spices into the soup and serve.

Each serving: 219 calories; 13 grams protein; 35 grams carbohydrates; 9 grams fiber; 4 grams fat; 0 saturated fat; 0 cholesterol; 21 mg. sodium.