Moong dal pairs well with gourds: my much-clicked recipe of ridge gourd moong dal is ample proof of that. This recipe combines moong dal with another similar gourd – the zucchini – with some green leafy goodness added to the mix. It’s homey, light and lemony, the kind that inspires coinages such as “comfort food”.
Curries
Vegetarian dishes to go with an Indian meal, cooked in a sauce/assortment of spices. Curries may be wet or dry, and are eaten along with rice or bread (chapatis, parathas, etc).
Pumpkin Kala Chana, Bengali Style
A pumpkin kala chana (black chickpea) preparation infused with the Bengali flavors of panch phoron and mustard oil. Dried bay leaves lend a subtle aromatic base to the curry, jaggery brings out the pumpkin’s sweetness, raw mango powder gives it tang.
Mooli Fry: Masala-Coated Fried Radish
"Cannot handle the pungency of radish" – is that your rationale for staying away from radish-based curries? I know how you feel. Once upon a time, I was you. Till I discovered tricks to tame the mighty mooli. May I gently recommend to you my mooli fry recipe. With steps calculated to reduce the sharpness of radish, mooli fry presents to you this root veggie in its mildest form.
Aloo Sahjan: Potato Drumstick Curry
A Bihar-style potato drumstick curry (aloo sahjan), in which the fiery flavors of mustard and garlic giving company to drumstick.
Zucchini Cherry Tomato with Mustard
Packed with the zing of mustard, garlic and paprika, this zucchini cherry tomato curry is lip-smacking delicious.
Kaddu Rajma: Pumpkin with Red Kidney Beans
Pumpkin (kaddu) and red kidney beans (rajma) make a hearty, richly flavored kaddu rajma curry. Dry red chilies give it heat, tamarind lends it tang, jaggery balances it all.
Bihari Aloo Chana: Potato and Black Chickpea Curry
Aloo chana (or aloo channa) is an easy-to-cook recipe from Bihar that uses kala chana (black chickpeas / kaala channa) – the smaller, thicker-skinned sibling of the chickpea used in chana masala or hummus. Black chickpeas have an earthy, dense flavor and high fibre content, and are popularly used in Bihari cooking. This aloo chana dish is filling, a good source of carbs, protein and iron – besides being really tasty.