Lentils are absolutely the love of my life! I am so addicted to them that I want to add these nutritious pulses into literally everything on earth, be it rice or veggies. Whole green moong lentils are a high protein, low calorie and low fat food. Especially for people suffering from diabetes anemia, doctors always recommend them to consume this power food. It is also ideal for those with digestive issues and sensitive stomachs.
When I was pregnant with my LO, I had contracted gestational diabetes. During the entire third trimester, doctors asked me to eat just two power foods – a) Kai Lan Leaves b) Green Moong Lentils. At that time, I did have cravings to eat spicy sugary and unhealthy foods, but since the doctors had strictly advised me to refrain from all that trash, I followed! And I must say I followed it quite well. It needed quite a bit of patience and a whole lot of will power! Since then I have fallen in love with this lentil. Till this date, I make this curry on a regular basis and my family has always loved it.
This is a very simple and easy recipe, doesn’t take much time to prepare and requires the least of ingredients. You need to soak the lentils in water for 1-2 hours. If you want to enjoy wholesome food, this is it. Green moong lentils curry goes equally well with rice and rotis. It is simple, nutritious and full of flavors.
Ingredients:
Mustard seeds – 1 tsp
Cumin seeds -1 tsp
Hing / asafoetida – 1/2 tsp
Green chillies – 3-4 slit lengthwise
Onions – 1 finely chopped
Ginger and garlic paste – 1 tbsp
Curry leaves – 8-10
Green moong dal – soaked and washed well
Tomatoes – 2 finely chopped
Turmeric powder – 1 tsp
Garam masala powder – 1 tsp
Sambar masala powder – 1 tsp
Coriander leaves – finely chopped
Lime juice – 1 tsp or juice of half a lime
Salt – as per taste
Method:
Take some oil in a pressure cooker.
Add hing / asafoetida. Add mustard seeds. As soon as they splutter, add the cumin seeds. Also add the curry leaves. Give this a stir for a few seconds. Then add the finely chopped onions. Let them fry until slight golden brown.
I crushed the ginger and garlic coarsely in a mortar and pestle.
As soon as the onions turn golden brown, add the crushed ginger-garlic paste. Add Turmeric powder. Stir for a few mins until the raw smell of ginger and garlic is gone.
Soak the green moong lentils for at least 1-2 hours. Drain the water just before adding the lentils.
Add the washed and soaked dal. Give it a good mix for a few seconds.
Then add water, just enough to cover the lentils. Do not add too much water in the beginning.
Add in the chopped tomatoes, green chillies, sambar masala powder and garam masala powder. Give everything a good mix.
Cover the pressure cooker. Cook on high till you get the first whistle. Then lower the flame and cook on low heat for 10 mins. Switch off the flame. Let the pressure go down. Then open the lid of the pressure cooker.
All the water would have been absorbed and the lentils will be cooked by now but they will still hold their shape.
With the back of a spatula, gently press and mash the lentils. Do not mash the whole of it. The lentils should still hold their shape. Just mashing up a part of it will help impart a creamy texture and consistency to the curry.
Now add enough water. Adjust the quantity of water depending on the consistency you desire. If you want to eat it will rice you can add a little more water so that the texture is slightly on the runny side. I was going to serve mine with rotis, so I added comparatively less water in order to acquire a thick consistency.
After adding water, add salt and finely chopped coriander leaves. Give it a good mix.
Let the lentils come to a boil. Cook this for a couple more mins until everything is incorporated well.
Lastly squeeze in some fresh lime juice. Switch off the flame.
Dish it out and serve hot.
Enjoy this simple meal with rotis or rice and a salad. It is healthful, wholesome, nourishing and beneficial for ones physical and mental condition. Enjoy!!
That is looking sooooo delicious ! With the flat bread and simple salad,I can eat them a lot!I mean a lot!😃
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True Payel….Such superfoods can be eaten a lot in just one sitting! :)…That too without any guilt 🙂
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Looks so yum 😋
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Thanks so much radhika😃
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Another recipe to file away and try. Thanks so much.
Leslie
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Thanks Leslie….this is one delicious dal that’s super nutritious. 😃
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Looking forward to it.
Leslie
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Wow ! Looks delicious! I can eat this all day:)
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Thanks Divya. Same with me! 😃
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The pictures are so helpful with your explanation. Thank you!
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Thank you!! Glad you liked it… appreciate it😃
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yummy !! once in a week i prepared it.My Family Fav Dal.
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Hey same here Aayushi! This is one dal that you can never get bored of…it’s so yummy. Thanks again😃
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Comfort food
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Yes Ritu! All time comfort food😃
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This is so healthy!! We too love our lentils…it’s a must have! 😊
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Yes dear…it’s healthy and delicious. We Indians consume the best source of protein as a from of staple almost everyday! So much so that we can’t live without it! So cool😃
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I could picture the great smell of the ingredients as you were adding them to the pressure cooker step by step. Especially when you added the crushed ginger-garlic paste. Great recipe! Thanks for sharing it and your story. Glad to hear you followed doctors order. 🙂
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Thank you so much Eartha! Yes I did follow what the doctors said…for the sake of my baby’s well being. Motherhood is like magic which gives you all the will power and strength to go against all odds! So glad you liked the recipe:) thanks again😃
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That looks very delicious!!
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Thank you Sumith😃
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Yum..Thank you… this sounds wonderful and bought back memories of one I used to make when my children were young …So of course it became a blog post and I have given you and your wonderful recipe a little mention. Have a lovely day 🙂
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Thanks so much. I am glad this post brought you back memories from the past. The lovely time we spend with our kids when they are little is the most beautiful asset of our lives. Thanks again! 😃
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Dals are my comfort food of all time. Just loved it 🙂
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Thanks a lot! Very true for me as well. There’s nothing more comforting than a plate of dal chawal or dal roti. Thanks again😃
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Wow this looks absolutely mouth-watering!
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Thank you! glad you liked it! 🙂
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I’m officially on the lookout for green moong lentils. I love dals! I can just imagine just how delicious your recipe is.
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Thanks Ellie! I am sure you will love it 🙂
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One of my most fav daals! I don’t know why but I like daals more in winters! 😊
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Dals are so comforting! I can eat them any time round the year but you are right….there’s nothing better than a bowl of hot lentil soup on a cold winter night😃
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Truly delicious
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Thank you Ruchi! 🙂
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True; green moong has loads of nutritional benefits! Good recipe as always:)
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Thanks a lot rashmi! Glad you liked it:)
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This looks good! Only today I was saying how much I love lentils. Will def try this recipe. Thanks!
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Thanks so much! I hope you like it. 😃
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Though I can’t cook, I love food the most in the world – particularly homemade food. I couldn’t resist myself from following the blog after seeing the ‘delicious’ pictures.
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Thank you Amrit for the follow and your kind words. You have a lovely blog too!! Eager to read your posts in future 🙂
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Will make this recipe tonight. Thibk I have all the ingredients in my home. Thank you!
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