Beach sundal or Thenga Manga Pattani Sundal, is a very popular snack in the “Chennai marina beach”. Kudamilagai Bajji is also one of my favorite evening snacks at the beach. Before marriage, I worked in Chennai for a few months. At least monthly 2 to 3 times, I used to visit either Marina beach or Besant Nagar beach with my friends, where we used to enjoy the sea breeze, chat and taste this yummy snack.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup – White peas (dried)
• 1/4 cup or 4 to 5 tbsp – Raw mango (cut them into small bite size pieces)
• 1 pinch – Turmeric powder
• 1/4 tsp – Red chilli powder (or add as needed)
• 2 to 3 tbsp – Onion (chopped finely)
• 2 to 3 tbsp – Carrot (julienne) (optional)
• 2 to 3 tbsp – Cucumber chopped (optional)
• 1 tbsp – Coriander leaves (chopped)
• 1/2 tsp – Lemon juice (or add as per taste)
• Salt to taste

For grinding:

• 3 to 4 tbsp – Coconut grated ( I have used 1/4 cup coconut pieces)
• 1 or 2 no’s – Green chillies (or add as needed)
• 1/4 inch – Ginger

Seasonings:

• 1 tsp – Oil
• 1/4 tsp – Mustard seeds
• 1/4 tsp – Split black gram / Ulunthu / Urad dal
• 5 to 6 no’s - Fresh curry leaves
• Pinch of asafoetida / hing

Preparation method:

1. Wash and soak white peas in enough water for 8 hours or overnight. Pressure cook white peas along with turmeric powder and required water, for 2 to 3 whistles or until well cooked (make sure not to overcook it). Keep it aside.
2. Take a mixie jar, add coconut, green chillies, and ginger, grind it to a coarse paste. Set it aside.
3. Heat oil in a pan, season it with items given in the list for seasoning. Now add coconut paste and give a quick mix. Add cooked white peas, along with required salt and red chilli powder, saute for 1 to 2 minutes or cook until the raw smell of red chilli powder goes away.
4. Squeeze some lemon juice, followed by onion, mango pieces, carrot, cucumber and coriander leaves, mix everything well and switch off the stove. Yummy beach sundal is ready.

Notes:

• Do not over cook the white peas as it will spoil the texture of sundal.
• You may increase or decrease the spice level as per your taste.
• Since I did not have fresh green mango, I have used frozen one.
• Lemon juice is optional but adding them gives very good taste to the sundal.