Gongura pappu is one of the delicious pappu recipe from Andhra cuisine. Red sorrel leaves are called as gongura in telugu. Dal and gongura cooked together makes this tangy dal gongura pappu. It is served with plain rice, ghee, pickle and papad or its variations. It can also be served with phulka or any rotti like ragi roti or multi grain roti.

Gongura is said to be rich in iron and other minerals, hence it is often used by many in various dishes. Few other gongura recipes from andhra cuisine are
gongura chicken
gongura chicken fry
gongura mutton
gongura pickle
gongura pachadi
pulihora.

There are different ways of making gongura pappu. A quick and easy method is to cook together gongura, pappu, onion and chili . Add salt and mash everything well and season it.
Another method is to cook dal separately till soft. Cook gongura separately and then mix both. Add the poppu or seasoning.
The third method which i have shared in the step by photos is the way i like to make, since gongura is not overcooked, gongura pappu tastes very good this way and the nutrients are also retained. The dal is also more flavorful this way.
How to make gongura pappu recipe
1. Pluck gongura, add them to a large bowl filled with salted water. Leave it for a while for the mud or dirt to settle down at the bottom. Rinse several times in fresh water and drain them.

2. Wash dal and cook with 2 cups water till fully cooked.

3. I pressure cook for one whistle in a pressure pan. Some cookers require 2 to 3 whistles to cook dal well.

4. I like to mash the dal to smooth. If you like coarse dal, just leave it. But make sure dal has cooked well.

5. Add chopped gongura, slit chilies, turmeric and onions.

6. Cook until gongura is completely cooked.

7. Add ghee or oil to a pan and heat up on a medium heat. Allow cumin , mustard to splutter. Then add red chilies, curd chilies (optional), garlic, curry leaves and hing. Saute until the curry leaves turn crisp.

8. Add it to dal.

Serve gongura pappu with rice or phulka.

More andhra pappu recipes on this blog,
mamidikaya pappu
tomato pappu
sorakaya pappu
palakura pappu
beerakaya pappu
gummadikaya pappu
Recipe of gongura pappu below

Gongura pappu recipe | Andhra pappu recipe | Gongura dal
For best results follow the step-by-step photos above the recipe card
Ingredients (US cup = 240ml )
- ¾ cup dal / kandhi pappu (can use half moong dal and tur dal)
- 1 cup gongura leaves chopped (measured after chopping)
- 1 onion medium
- 1 green chili slit (optional)
- 1 pinch turmeric
Seasoning
- Oil or ghee as needed
- ½ tsp cumin
- ¼ tsp mustard
- Red chili broken
- Pinch hing
- 1 to 2 garlic pods
- 1 sprig curry leaves
- Salt as needed
- Curd chilies few (optional)
Instructions
- Wash dal and cook with 2 cups of water until smooth or for 2 to 3 whistles.
- Soak gongura leaves in salted water for some time. Wash them and drain aside.
- When the pressure goes off, open the lid and mash the dal if you desire smooth dal. Else skip mashing th dal if you prefer coarse dal.
- Chop gongura finely, slice onions, slit chilli and add them to the dal along with salt.
- Cook until the leaves are fully cooked.
- Heat a pan with ghee or oil. Add cumin, mustard, garlic and red chili, curd chili. when the spices begin to splutter, add curry leaves and hing. Switch off the stove and pour this to the dal. you can set aside the curd chilies. Garnish just before serving to keep the crunch.
method 2 of making gongura pappu
- Cook dal, onions, chili and gongura together with 2 1/2 cups water for 2 to 3 whistles.
- Season gongura pappu with seasoning ingredients.
Notes
Alternative quantities provided in the recipe card are for 1x only, original recipe.
For best results follow my detailed step-by-step photo instructions and tips above the recipe card.
NUTRITION INFO (estimation only)
© Swasthi’s Recipes
Thank you swati fr such a lovely recipes..when i have to impress someone with food my hand directly goes to ur recipes online n am showered with compliments…ur homemade pizza is my kids n whole my appartments kids fvt Now.. kids ask for tht often… Thank you so much
Hi Sami
You are welcome. So glad to know! Yes this is my kids’ favorite too and they no more want to eat pizza out!
Thank you so much!
🙂
Awesome recipes as always. I always wanted to ask this question that how do you manage to get the ingredients in Singapore because some time even I don’t get the ingredients in India Hyderabad. please reply and from which place?
Hi Neelam
Thank you. Glad to know you like the recipes. Most ingredients for preparing Indian foods are available in Singapore. We do have Indian markets, lot of grocery stores and supermarkets exclusively used for Indian foods.
🙂
Thank you. That’s nice. ?
Awesome recipes as always. I always wanted to ask this question that how you manage to get all the ingredients in Singapore because some time even I am unable to get sum vegetables in Hyderabad. Plz reply.and which place from.
Thanks for sharing the healthy way to make gongura pappu. Tasty and nice
Welcome Prasanna
Thanks very tasty
Welcome