Moong Dal Balochistan Food

MOONG DHAL MAKHANI

Steps:

• Wash the mung beans thoroughly under cold water, and repeat two-three times until the water runs clear when drained. Put the beans in a small saucepan with 200ml water and 200ml milk and bring to the boil. Let it boil vigorously for 5 mins before reducing to a low heat. Simmer for 30-45 mins half-covered with a lid. Check the mung beans after 30 mins. When they are cooked, they should be soft enough to smash with the back of a spoon.
• In a separate frying pan, heat the sunflower oil and butter. Once warmed through and the butter has melted, add the tomato purée and chilli powder (depending on how hot you like it). Cook for 5 mins on a low heat before adding this paste to the bean pan.
• Increase the heat of the saucepan to medium, add salt to taste, and reduce, uncovered, if you need to. The consistency should be slightly thinner than a custard. At this point, add the remaining 50ml milk, and stir well. Cover with a lid, and cook on a low heat for 30 mins, adding a splash of water during cooking if it gets too thick. Check for seasoning, before serving topped with the coriander.

MOONG DAL

Steps:

• Rinse split peas; soak in 2 1/2 cups of water for 30 minutes.
• Heat split peas and water, with salt, until boiling. Reduce heat to medium and cook 15 to 20 minutes, until tender and thickened. Add more water, if necessary, to prevent drying out. To the cooked split peas add ginger, jalapeno pepper, tomato, lemon juice and turmeric.
• Heat oil in a small saucepan and add cumin seed and red chile pepper. When pepper is heated add Asafoetida and garlic. Stir mixture into split peas and add cilantro; mix well.

MOONG DAL

Steps:

• Rinse the dal, checking for any debris; add to saucepan with 2 1/2 cups water. Allow to soak for 30 minutes.
• Bring dal, water, and salt to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook until beans are very tender and mixture has thickened, 15 to 20 minutes. Add more water, if necessary, to prevent drying out. Stir in ginger, jalapeno pepper, tomato, lemon juice, and turmeric.
• Heat oil in a small saucepan and add cumin seed and red chile pepper. When pepper is heated, add Asafoetida powder and garlic. Stir mixture into split peas and add cilantro; mix well.

MOONG DAL WITH MILLET

Steps:

• In a medium pan heat palm oil (can substitute coconut oil or olive oil), then add mustard seeds and cover. ATTENTION: The seeds splutter and might pop into your face, so make sure you cover the pan and wait until the spluttering stops.
• Add ginger, curry leaves, cumin seeds and moong dal, stir fry for about two minutes, then add the tomato paste, tumeric and salt.
• Reduce heat, stir well for some seconds, then pour in boiling water, cover again and let simmer for about 10 minutes.
• Add millet, stir, cover again and let simmer for another 30 minutes.
• After 15 minutes have a look if the water is absorbed. If It's absorbed, add some more boiling water.
• After 30 minutes the liquid should be absorbed.
• Stir in vegetables, heat through and season with pepper to taste.

BUTTERY MOONG DAL WITH GARLIC AND CUMIN

Steps:

• Put dal, turmeric and salt in a large soup pot, add 7 cups water and bring to a gentle boil, stirring.
• Turn heat very low and cover pot with lid slightly ajar. Check pot and stir frequently, as the dal has a tendency to boil over in the beginning. Skim off and discard any foam that rises. Cook for about 45 minutes, until quite soft. Taste and adjust salt. For a smooth, velvety consistency, purée dal in a blender, then return to pot. If you prefer some texture, just beat with a whisk for a minute or two. (If dal is very thick, thin with a little water.)
• Make the tarka: Heat ghee in a small skillet over medium-high heat. Add cumin, chile and garlic and cook until cumin is fragrant and garlic is lightly colored, about 1 minute. Add shallot and continue cooking until shallot is softened, about 1 minute more. Pour contents of skillet into pot and stir into the dal.
• Transfer to a serving bowl or individual soup bowls. Sprinkle with a pinch of garam masala or red chile powder and/or serve with basmati rice, if desired. Dal may be made in advance, refrigerated and reheated (it will solidify when chilled and need thinning). Cool to room temperature before refrigerating. It will keep 2 to 3 days.