SABUT MOONG DAL/ GREEN MOONG DAL

 This is  a wholesome dal for the days you want a simple yet nutritious meal. It is ideal for those days you want to be off masala's and give your taste buds a break. I have kept the dal very simple. With a little planning ahead(soaking the dal), you can get this done in just 30 minutes. After a busy day at work, when you want to spend minimum time in the kitchen, just soak the lentils before you leave home for work.  Once back, 10 minutes in the cooker, 10 minutes for the pressure to settle, and 10 minutes to temper the dal, and it's done. Side by side cook rice and you can have a wholesome dinner. Those 10 minutes for the pressure to settle can be put to good use, brew yourself some tea and just chop an onion and some tomatoes and we are ready to temper the dal. Let's get to some wholesome goodness. 

 PREP TIME: 5Mins +soak time( 4 hrs)                     COOK TIME: 30 Mins

 TOTAL TIME: 35 Mins                                              COURSE:  MAIN 

CUISINE: NORTH INDIAN                                       SERVINGS: 4

                                                                                  AUTHOR: Rajni Ram

Ingredients:

Green Moong(lentils) 1 cup soaked at least 4 hrs

Onion 1 small

Tomatoes 2 pureed

Cinnamon 1 small stick

Cumin 1 tsp

Ginger garlic paste 1 tsp

Red chilli powder 1 tsp

Turmeric powder 1/2 tsp

Amchur/dry mango powder 1/2 tsp

Coriander powder 2 tsp

Garam masala powder 1/2 tsp

Coriander leaves 2 tsp finely chopped

Oil for tempering

Directions:

Cook Moong dal/lentils with 1 piece Cinnamon stick for 5 whistles. Wait for the pressure to release. While you wait, cut 1 small onion finely and puree 2 tomatoes in the blender. In a karahi heat 2 tsp oil. Add the cumin seeds and let them crackle. Put in the onion and fry nicely for a minute. Now add the ginger-garlic paste and continue to fry. When the onion starts turning light brown add in the tomato puree, cook for 1 minute, and add in the cooked Moong dal. Stir well and add salt followed by all the spice powders except garam masala. Simmer for 5 minutes, add in the garam masala and turn off the stove. Garnish with finely chopped coriander leaves. Simple and flavourful Hari Moong ki Dal is ready to serve. Enjoy. Bon Appetit.

STEPWISE RECIPE FOLLOWS:

1. Assemble all ingredients. Soak the Green Moong for 4 hours at least.

2. Pressure cook the dal for 5 whistles.

3. Take oil in a karahi and heat. Add the cumin seeds and allow to splutter. Add the turmeric powder and the chopped onion.

4. Fry nicely, until the onion starts turning slightly brown. Now add in the ginger-garlic paste. Fry for a minute and add the tomato puree. Cook for a minute.

5. Add in the spice powders, except garam masala, followed by the cooked dal.

6. Add one cup of water( add more if required to adjust consistency. Stir well and allow to simmer for 5 minutes.  Add in the garam masala now and switch off the stove. Garnish with coriander leaves and the Green Moong dal is ready to serve. 

It goes well with Roti and Rice varieties.

NOTES:

1. Tomatoes can be chopped and added too instead of pureeing, but in this recipe particularly I prefer to add the pure, as the Green moong is a little bland and the pureed tomatoes impart a little sourness to the dish than chopped and cooked ones. 

2. If you don't give much soak time, you can still make the dal, but with a longer pressure cooking time.