MOONG DAL WITH DILL LEAVES

MOONG DAL WITH DILL LEAVES

Dill leaves have a delicate smell and flavour of their own. Known as Shepu in Marathi, Suva Bhaji in Hindi and Sabsige Soppu in Kannada, they are used in a variety of dishes such as, for example, Nuchina Unde,

Today's recipe for Moong Dal With Dill Leaves is adapted from this YouTube video by the famous cookery expert, Nisha Madhulika.

I have cooked this in oil while as you can cook it in ghee, if you wish. I have by choice not added ghee at the last stage or garnished with coriander leaves, as suggested.

This dish goes very well with rotis, chapatis, etc.

Ingredients:

• Dill Leaves, chopped, 2 cups
• Moong Dal, 1/2 cup
• Tomatoes, medium-sized, chopped, 2
• Ginger, chopped, 1 " piece
• Green Chillies, 2
• Oil, 1 and 1/2 tbsp
• Cumin Seeds, 1/2 tsp
• Asafoetida, 1/8 tsp or a pinch
• Turmeric Powder, 1/4 tsp
• Coriander Powder, 1 tsp
• Salt, to taste
• Chilli Powder, 1/4 tsp
• Garam Masala Powder, 1/4 tsp * optional
• Coriander Leaves, for garnish

Method:

Remove the tender Dill leaves from their stems, wash thoroughly and allow the water to drain, then chop and keep aside

Wash the moong dal and keep aside

In a mixer, make a smooth paste by grinding together tomatoes, ginger, and green chillies without adding any water. Keep aside

Heat oil in a cooker, when it gets hot add cumin seeds, and when they sizzle add asafoetida, 

Next, add turmeric powder and coriander powder

Mix well and saute for a while

To this add the tomato-ginger and green chilli paste and stir on medium/low flame till the oil separates

Now add the moong dal and the chopped dill leaves and mix well

Add chilli powder and salt and cook for 2 minutes stirring continuously

Add 2 cups of water, close the cooker lid and cook for 1 whistle 

Switch off the gas and when the cooker cools, open it and check for consistency depending on your preference

If the cooked dal is too thick, you can add required amount of water

Add the garam masala, mix well and cook the dal for another 2 minutes

Finally, if you wish to do so, add a dollop of ghee and garnish with chopped coriander leaves