Ny Times Buttery Moong Dal With Garlic And Cumin Recipes

LALLA MUSSA DAL

Steps:

• Mix together both types of lentils and rinse thoroughly in salted water. Drain, add 1 cup water and soak for 1 hour.
• Drain lentils again, add to a small pot with 1 cup water and bring to a boil. Skim the scum and dirt off the top and discard. Strain the lentils and return them to the pot. Add 1 cup water, the green chiles and ginger and simmer, covered, for 15 minutes.
• Add 1/4 cup of the butter and simmer on low heat for 45 minutes, stirring often and mashing with the back of a big spoon as the lentils soften. After about 35 minutes, melt the remaining 1/4 cup butter in a deep nonstick pan; add the tomato purée and sauté on low heat until fat rises to the surface.
• Add the red chili powder (or cayenne), ground coriander, fenugreek leaves and garlic and cook for a couple of minutes, stirring constantly, until the mixture begins to dry out and stick to the pan. Add the lentils and mix well. Add the cream and mix well. Add 1 cup water and salt to taste, and bring to a boil. Serve hot, garnished with ginger strips.

MAKHANI DAL (BUTTER DAL), MOGUL-STYLE

Steps:

• Combine the legumes with 4 cups water in a large saucepan and bring to a boil; cook, uncovered, for 2 minutes. Turn off the heat and cover the pot; let the legumes soak for 2 hours.
• Add the whole-milk yogurt, 1 cup onions, tomatoes, ginger, turmeric, cardamom, paprika, chili and salt to the pot and bring to a boil once more. Cook, partly covered, over low heat for 90 minutes, or until the dal is very soft. Turn off the heat and use an Indian mathani (see related article) to purée the dal for about 1 minute; it should be saucy but not soupy.
• To make the tadka, heat the oil in a small saucepan over high heat. When the oil is hot, add the remaining cup of onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until medium brown. Turn off the heat and stir in the cumin and garam masala.
• Transfer the dal to a large bowl and cover with the low-fat yogurt; top with tadka, stir gently and serve.

MOONG DAL

Steps:

• Put beans in a bowl and add water to cover to a depth of about 2 inches above the beans. Let soak overnight. Drain.
• Heat oil in saucepan and add asafetida. Cook about 3 seconds and add drained beans and 1 cup water.
• Put green chili and garlic into a mortar and crush to a paste with pestle. Add this to beans. Sprinkle with turmeric, hot pepper, ground coriander and salt, and stir to blend. Bring to boil, cover and cook 20 minutes. If necessary to prevent dryness, add 1/4 cup water.
• Add chopped coriander. Cover and cook 5 minutes more.