Green Moong Dal

Step 1

Rinse 1/2 cup green moong beans for a couple of times and then soak in enough water for an hour. You can also soak them for a couple of hours or overnight. If soaking overnight, then the pressure cooking time will reduce.

Step 2

Chop 1 medium onion, 1 large tomato and 1 to 2 green chilies. Crush the ginger and garlic to a paste in the mortar-pestle.

Step 3

Heat 2 tbsp oil in a pressure cooker.

Step 4

Add the whole spices - 1 medium tej patta/indian bay leaf and 1/2 tsp cumin seeds. Saute till the cumin seeds splutter.

Step 5

Then add the chopped onions. Saute the onions till light golden.

Step 6

Add 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste and chopped green chilies. Stir and saute till the raw aroma of ginger-garlic goes away.

Step 7

Now add the chopped tomatoes and 1/4 tsp turmeric powder, 1/4 tsp red chili powder, 1/2 tsp coriander powder and 1/4 tsp garam masala powder.

Step 8

Stir and saute till the tomatoes soften, become pulpy and you see oil releasing from the sides.

Step 9

Drain and add the moong beans. Stir very well.

Step 10

Add 2.5 to 3 cups water and salt as per taste. Stir very well.

Step 11

Cover and pressure cook sabut moong dal for 10 to 12 whistles or 15 to 17 minutes on a medium to high flame till the moong beans are softened thoroughly.

Step 12

When the pressure settles down on its own, open the lid and check the moong beans. If they still have slight bite to them, then add some water and pressure cook for some more whistles.

Step 13

If the mixture looks dry, then you can add more water. Keep the cooker on the stove top and simmer the moong dal for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring at intervals.

Step 14

The consistency of the dal should not be watery. While cooking you can mash a few lentils with the back of the spoon.

Step 15

Heat 1 tbsp oil in a small pan or tadka pan. Splutter 1/2 tsp cumin seeds first.

Step 16

Switch off the flame and then add a pinch of asafoetida and 1/4 tsp red chili powder. Stir.

Step 17

Add this tempering to the dal. Stir well.

Step 18

Add 3 tbsp chopped coriander leaves. Stir again.

Step 19

Serve green moong dal with steamed rice or chapatis.

Step 20

While serving this green gram curry, you can garnish with a few coriander leaves if you want.