A nifty tip I picked up via Mahanandi – roasting yellow moong dal before cooking it. When you roast moong dal, the dal acquires a more aromatic, nuttier taste which really adds to the dishes being cooked with it.
Dals
A preparation of pulses (dried lentils, peas or beans), dal is a regular accompaniment with Indian meals. Dal recipes of varieties such as toor, chana, moong or masoor.
Moong And Onion Raita
Come Indian summer and yogurt begins to feel like manna from heaven. This moong and onion raita uses spiced yogurt to great effect.
For the uninitiated, ‘raita’ is a yogurt-based accompaniment for Indian meals. Served cold, its digestive, cooling properties are a great counterpoint to the otherwise spicy Indian meal.
There are endless variations to the raita – every region has its specialties, every family has its own spin on it. Here is one raita recipe that I specially like – using moong sprouts and onions.
Soya Bean Parathas
What do you like to stuff inside your parathas? This soya bean stuffing is a constant favorite of mine. The main ingredient in the stuffing is soya bean granules, quick and easy to prepare, with all the goodness of soya.
You Need:
For the paratha:
- Whole wheat flour (atta) – 2 cups
- Water – to knead
For the stuffing:
Gujarati Dal: Yellow Lentils with Peanuts and Jaggery
Peanuts and jaggery in toor dal? It sounded bizarre and it wasn’t something I had cooked or eaten before. When I saw this recipe for Gujarati dal on a food show on NDTV Good Times I decided to try it in my own kitchen that very day.
Potatoes with Soya Bean Granules
A dish with minimal ingredients that cooks quickly, tastes good and gives you a generous dose of proteins. Sounds good? Here is the recipe of potatoes with soya bean granules.
Toor Dal Tadka with Spinach
On regular days my simple yellow dal has a spicier accompaniment. On other days, the accompaniment is plain aloo-pyaz fry while the dal is spruced up. Here is one way I make my dal interesting with a green addition: toor dal tadka with spinach.
Toor Sabut Moong Dal
A simple lentil dish to go with Indian meals – toor dal (arhar dal/pigeon pea split) with a fistful of saboot moong (green gram or whole moong, with the green skin on) in it. The yellow and green of toor sabut moong dal makes for a bright-looking colorful dish.