Whole green moong dal has an earthy taste and in this recipe the flavours are enhanced by cooking with whole spices like cinnamon, bayleaf, peppercorns and cloves. Unlike other lentils, mung bean stays firm even after long cooking making it ideal for curries, salads and sprouting.
Prep Time10 minutesmins
Cook Time20 minutesmins
Total Time30 minutesmins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Gluten-free, Indian, Vegan, Vegetarian
Keyword: Lentil curry, Lentil recipe
Servings: 4
Calories: 238kcal
Ingredients
1cupsabut moong dal(200g) green mung beans, soaked overnight
1onion(~100g) chopped
2tomatoes(~250g) puréed
2clovesgarlicgrated
1inchgingergrated
1tbspghee/oil
1pinch asafoetida
1tspcumin seeds
1inchcinnamon stick
2cloves
2black peppercorns
1bayleaf
1tspturmeric powder
2tspcoriander powder
Salt to taste
To garnish (optional):
Fresh Gingercut into slivers
Fresh Red Chillisliced
Fresh mint
Instructions
Wash the moong dal under running water and then soak in 3 cups of water for at least 4 hours (or overnight).
Drain and add the dal to a pressure cooker. Add 3 cups of water, some salt, and ½ tsp turmeric. Close the lid and pressure cook the dals on medium-high heat for 3-4 whistles (about 10-15 mins). Remove from heat and open the cooker only after all the steam has escaped on its own. Alternately cook them in a stock pot for about half an hour until the dals are tender.
While the dal is cooking, heat ghee/oil in a separate pan. Once the ghee is hot, add asafoetida, cumins seeds, cinnamon, cloves, peppercorns and bayleaf. Sauté for a minute.
Add garlic, ginger, and onions. Sauté for 2-3 minutes till the onions start to turn soft and translucent. Add the tomato purée, turmeric powder, coriander powder, and salt. Mix well and cook open for another 5 minutes till the onion-tomato mix is cooked.
Once the dal is cooked, add the onion-tomato mixture to the dal. Mix well. Cook for another couple of minutes.
Garnish with fresh ginger, coriander leaves, and red chilies and serve hot with rice or roti.
Notes
If you don't have the whole spices, you can use 1-2 tsp of garam masala powder.