Being vegetarian (Amrith) and mostly vegetarian (me), lentils are an integral part of our meals and bringing in some variety always helps. This uses the same base (moong dal cooked to a mashed pulp) as the sweet and sour moong dal recipe but the taste is significantly different by altering a few of the ingredients.
Jeera (Cumin) Moong Dal | Basic Dal Recipes
Preparation time: 5 minutes Cooking time: 15 minutes Serves 2-3 Adapted from: 660 Curries
Ingredients: ½ cup of moong dal / split green gram A pinch of turmeric powder 2" piece of of ginger, chopped 3-4 dry red chillies, torn into halves 1 tablespoon of ghee or oil 1 teaspoon of jeera / cumin seeds ¼ teaspoon of asafoetida / hing Salt to taste Coriander leaves, chopped, for garnish (optional)
How to Make Jeera Dal:
Pressure cook the moong dal with turmeric powder and enough water to cover it for 3-4 whistles. Mash the cooked dal until creamy and set aside. I use my immersion blender to puree dal for dal recipes. Makes the job super easy!
Heat the ghee or oil in a pan and add the cumin and red chillies. Fry until the cumin turns golden and the chillies turn almost black (take care not to burn them). Remove from fire and add the asafoetida and ginger. Saute until the ginger wilts in the heat and dunk the entire mixture into the dal. Add salt and chopped coriander leaves.
Goes really well with rotis or a mild vegetable pulao .
