Lentils are easy to cook. They are great for protein too. Fills your tummy and helps you sleep better. Simple food can help you survive harshest of lockdowns. It also makes you stronger. Lentils have been around for ages. Most people think about yellow dal tadka and dal makhni when you order out. However, there are a lot of other lentil recipes you can cook. Some lentils are made with combining few lentils like the tridali dal where 3 lentils are cooked together and Panchmel dal which is served in dal baati churma. Other interesting recipes are whole green gram or sabut moong and Chilke wali moong dal or split mung dal recipe.
Both of them are easy recipes and serve as a complete meal with rice or roti on a weeknight.
Whole moong needs more time in soaking. However chilke wali mung daal is easy to cook anytime. It is a perfect way to end a hectic day. Cooks while you unwind. Just make some basmati rice to go with it. You can also pair it with some roti. Dinner is served people!
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These days I just want to cook minimal in the kitchen. Especially on a weeknight. Work life has come home and it has become even more hectic. If you have people coming over, make some jeera aloo to go with it. I love some potatoes as a side. Generally, saayi dal is served with rice or roti. A big basket of fried rice khichiya, rice papad, fryums, potato chips & papad also compliments it.
Ingredients
- Split green lentils
- Onion
- Tomato
- Ginger-chilies ( You may also add garlic here!)
refer to recipe card for details.
Related recipes
How to make moong dal chilka recipe? (traditional pressure cooker)
- In a pressure cooker, heat oil and add cumin seeds. Let it splutter. Add chopped chilly and ginger.
2. Add the onions. Let it cook until onions are pink.
3. Now, add the chopped tomatoes and salt.Cook until they soften
4. Add the spices and let it cook for 5 mins
5. Add the green moong dal chilka (lentils) and mix well.
6. Add water and pressure cook until 3 whistles.
7. Serve hot with rice or paratha.
How to make Split moong dal in an instant pot?
- Heat oil on saute mode and follow step 1-4 as above. Alternatively, you can use 2-3 tbsp. of authentic Indian curry paste which you have prepared earlier.
2. Add ½ cup moong dal chilka along with 2 cups water.
3. Add the lid on top with pressure vent close. Cook in low pressure for 10 minutes. Remove the excess steam/pressure after 10 minutes.
4. Once cooked, garnish it with chopped coriander leaves.
Serve hot with any Indian flatbread like hot rotis and naan bread or jeera rice.
chilka moong dal recipe
Equipment
- pressure cooker / instant pot
- chopper optional
Ingredients
- ½ cup split green lentils soaked for 30 mins
- 2 cups water
- 1 onion small
- 2 tomatoes medium
- 2 tbsp. oil
- 2 cups water
Tempering
- 1 tsp. cumin seeds
- 1 tsp. green chilies chopped
- 1 tsp. ginger
- 2 tsp. red chilli powder / paprika
- ½ tsp. turmeric powder
- salt as per taste
Instructions
Traditional Pressure cooker
- In a pressure cooker, heat oil and add cumin seeds. Let it splutter. Add the ginger, chopped chilly and mix well
- Now add the chopped onions. Let it cook until onions are pink.
- Add the chopped tomatoes and salt. Cook until they soften.
- Add the spices and let it cook for 5 minutes.
- Now add the mung dal and mix well.
- Add water and pressure cook until 3 whistles.
How to make moong dal chilka in instant pot?
- Heat oil on saute mode and follow step 1-4 as above. Alternatively, you can use 2-3 tbsp. of authentic Indian curry paste which you have prepared earlier.
- Add soaked moong dal chilka along with water. ( 2 cups of water for ½ cup split moong dal)
- Add the lid on top with pressure vent close. Cook in low pressure for 10 minutes. Remove the excess steam/pressure after 10 minutes.
- You may garnish optionally with chopped coriander. Serve hot with basmati rice, naan or roti.
Variations & Substitutions
You can adjust the heat of the lentils according to your taste. Add more red chili powder if you like it spicy. If you like it bland, use paprika instead of red chilli powder. Add a teaspoon garam masala if you like it.
You can also cook whole green moong in a similar fashion. If you like to add onions, ensure there is enough oil or ghee in it so that it does not stick to the pressure cooker / pot.
There is another way to cook this lentils. Just add a handful of it to rice and let it come to a boil with some salt.Moong ware chawar never disappoints. I usually make this when I m not cooking lentils separately. It is an easy khichdi which goes well with any sabzi like fried eggplants or taryal vangan, or raita and some jeera aloo. You can just give your toddler this recipe recipe with some yogurt. Bubs love something soft. Best part is it is a complete meal. Add some tomatoes if you like while cooking. Gives it a twist.
Equipment
You can also use slow cooker or instant pot to make this lentil recipe. You can also make it in a deep sauce pan. However, it will take much longer to cook in a saucepan.
Storage
Left over lentils can be stored in a box in a refrigerator for 2-3 days. However, it is best to eat it fresh or the next day max.
FAQ
Green gram which is split but not skinned is known as split moong or moong chilka dal.
It is rich source of iron. Improves digestive health and heart health. Aids weight loss and helps prevent diabetes.
Conclusion: Lentils are a great source of protein and also work out cheap! Just buy a packet from your local grocery store or Indian store and it helps you avoid takeaways at least 3-5 times.
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