Moong Dal and Spinach

Ingredients:-

1. 1 small cup moong dal/split yellow dal
2. 2 cups chopped spinach (palak)
3. 1 onion, chopped
4. 1 tsp ginger-green chili paste
5. 1/2 tsp red chili powder
6. 1 tsp turmeric powder
7. salt to taste
8. 2 cups water, approx

For seasoning

1. 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
2. 1/4 tsp of heeng
3. 1 tbsp ghee or oil
4. 1 tsp of crushed garlic

Method :-

1.  In a pressure cooker, add 2 cups of water, moong dal, palak, salt and turmeric and pressure cook up to 2 whistles. 
2.  Heat ghee in a heavy bottomed vessel, add cumin seeds and as they splutter, add hing and stir fry for few seconds. Add ginger-green chili paste and saute for 3-4 mins.then add garlic to this mixture
3. Add the pressure cooked dal along, add about 1/2 cup of more water if required.
4. Serve with rotis or white rice.

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Toor Dal ( plain)

Indian recipes uses  different kinds of dals (lentils) witch are more native to India. Toor dal, also known as Arhar, is a popular dish in almost every household.

Ingredients :-

1. 1 cup toor dal
2. 3 cups water
3. 1 teaspoon salt
4. 1/2 teaspoon turmeric (haldi)
5. 1 tablespoon fine chopped ginger

(For tempering)

1. 1 tbsp ghee ( clarified butter)
2. 1/2 teaspoon cumin seed (jeera)
3. 1/2 teaspoon black mustard seed (rye)
4. 1 tsp of asafetida (hing)
5. 2 green chili finely chopped
6. 3-4 curry leave
7. 2-3 cloves of garlic finely chopped

Method :-

1. Wash dal, changing water several times until the water appears clear.
2. In pressure cooker add dal, water, salt, turmeric and ginger, and cook on medium heat for about 2 whistles.
3. Turn off the heat and wait until steam has stopped before opening the pressure cooker.
4. Mix dal well so there are no lumps. If dal is thick add more boiling water and make the consistency as you desire.

For tempering

1. Heat the oil in a pan. Test the heat by adding one cumin seed to the oil, if it cracks right away oil is ready.
2. Add hing, cumin seeds, mustard seeds. After seeds crack stir for few seconds, add green chili and garlic to this.
3. Pour th spice mix over dal.
4. Serve with steamed rice or any Indian bread.

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