Asparagus Paruppu Usili (Asparagus with Crumbled Lentils)

Paruppu usili is a side dish popular in Tamil Nadu where lentils (toor dal and chana dal) and vegetables are served together. Dal is soaked and then ground coarsely with spices. It is then made into round balls and cooked by steaming and then crumbled along with cooked vegetables. Here, instead of steaming, dal is cooked by stir-frying in oil, after seasoning with mustard, cumin seeds, chana dal, urad dal and curry leaves. When dal is half done, chopped asparagus is added and then both are cooked together.
Recipe Courtesy: Food for 7 Stages of Life