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Green Moong Dal

Serves 4
30 mins
218 Kcal
Green moong dal is also called split green gram, and it is a popular legume for consumption. The major constituents in their leafy greens have an oval shape, especially small in size, and come in very bright green. Seen or not, it carries nutritional value. Rich in proteins, dietary fibres, and vitamins and minerals, being vegetarian-friendly or health-conscious, this ingredient has good options. This dal gives a mild nutty taste and flexibility in usage. This can be cooked into quite a tasty curry, used in soups and stews, or put as an ingredient in salads to add crunch. The green moong dal is soft after cooking yet retains a small bite to add a bit of texture to meals. Furthermore, its cooking period is relatively short; it usually spends some 30-40 minutes simmering, so it is a great choice when the time is less. It has tremendous health benefits besides the most tantalizing taste. The calorie content is very low, while the protein content is relatively high. Therefore, it is an ideal choice in promoting weight management. The food provides a good amount of fibre that can help with the proper digestion process and bring about healthy cholesterol levels. Moreover, it contains rich nutrients such as folate, magnesium, and potassium, which contribute to overall health. Green moong dal can also be sprouted, so its nutrient profile is enhanced, and it is a good salad item as well as a great choice for sandwiches. Sprouted moong dal is found to be most useful in a healthy diet because it augments enzymatic activity and increases nutrient uptake. Whether you like it in traditional dishes like dal tadka or in modern recipes, green moong dal is an ambrosial and nutritious ingredient that can spike up your meals while promoting a healthy lifestyle.

Ingredients required for Green Moong Dal

  1. 1 cup green moong dal
  2. Coriander leaves
  3. 3-4 clove garlic
  4. 1 medium tomato
  5. 1 medium onion
  6. 1/2 tsp ginger
  7. 2 green chilli
  8. 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
  9. 1/2 tsp garam masala
  10. 1/2 tsp red chilli powder
  11. 1 tsp coriander powder
  12. Salt
  13. Oil

Cooking steps for Green Moong Dal

  1. 1
    Begin by washing 1 cup of green moong dal recipe extensively with running water until the water runs clear of dirt and excess starch, common to most green moong dal preparations. You can soak the dal for 30 minutes if you have time for this preparation beforehand.
  2. 2
    Soaking is preferred in most instances of the recipe of green moong dal because it cooks faster and also gives a soft, creamy texture.
  3. 3
    Now add the washed dal to the pressure cooker with 3-4 cups of water, half Tsp of turmeric powder and a pinch of salt. Close the cooker's lid and cook on medium heat for 3-4 whistles until the time dal turns soft and well-cooked. If a standard cooking pot is used, stir it till it becomes tender in 30-40 minutes.
  4. 4
    Now, let it cool down, and you can open the lid. If the dal is too thick, then little water can be added.
  5. 5
    Heat 2 tablespoons of oil or ghee in a small pan. On medium heat, pour in 1 Tsp of cumin seeds. When hot, let them sizzle and become golden brown.
  6. 6
    Add the chopped onions and saut them until they turn golden brown, which should take around 3-4 minutes. Keep stirring at times so they do not get burnt.
  7. 7
    Add the grated ginger, minced garlic, and chopped green chillies (if you are using them). Saut for 1-2 minutes until the raw smell of garlic disappears.
  8. 8
    Now reduce the heat. Add 1/2 Tsp red chilli powder, 1 Tsp coriander powder, and 1/2 Tsp garam masala. Mix it well. Then let it cook for another minute until the flavours of the spices come out.
  9. 9
    Add in the chopped tomatoes and continue cooking until they become soft and oil is released from the sides. This will counterbalance the heavy spice taste with sweetness from the tomato. This takes 3-4 minutes.
  10. 10
    Now, mix the prepared tadka into the prepared dal very well. Allow resting for 5-10 minutes on low heat so that all flavours infuse together.
  11. 11
    The dal should be smooth. If it seems too thick, then you may add a little water and simmer for some more minutes. If it has become too watery, you may cook it uncovered to thicken it.
  12. 12
    Now, taste your dal and add salt or salting ingredients to your taste. If you want, you can add a little more garam masala or chilli powder to make it more fiery.
  13. 13
    Switch off the flame and garnish it with fresh coriander leaves. The freshness and flavour that fresh coriander leaves will add will complete your dal wonderfully.
  14. 14
    Serve this Green Moong Dal hot with steamed rice, chapati or jeera rice. It is a dish you can very well have with pickle, papad or salad on the side.

Shop Ingredients

Tomato (1 medium)
19
1
15
1
27
1
11
1
44
1
Garlic (3-4 clove)
126
1
108
1
140
1
132
1
183
1
132
1
169
1
143
1
139
1
Turmeric Powder (1/2 Tsp)
66
1
68
1
122
1
225
1
Green Chilli (2)
9
1
19
1
17
1
181
1
Garam Masala (1/2 Tsp)
96
1
79
1
31
1
88
1
63
1
52
1
90
1
108
1
82
1
42
1
Coriander Powder (1 Tsp)
30
1
Ginger (1/2 Tsp)
17
1
26
1
34
1
73
1
Oil
143
1
172
1
161
1
150
1
151
1
308
1
141
1
730
1
236
1
173
1
Onion (1 medium)
59
1
131
1
32
1
32
1
49
1
102
1
65
1
72
1
139
1
81
1
Green Moong Dal (1 cup)
78
1
142
1
94
1
98
1
94
1
123
1
135
1
97
1
86
1
141
1
Coriander Leaves
9
1
25
1
45
1
27
1
64
1
155
1
29
1
31
1
Salt
27
1
21
1
112
1
22
1
50
1
107
1
58
1
99
1
47
1
83
1
Red Chilli Powder (1/2 Tsp)
600
1
300
1

FAQs

How long does it take to cook green moong dal?

The soaking of the green moong dal and the mode of cooking make the difference in time for cooking. If soaked the dal for 30 minutes, it may take around 15-20 minutes in a pressure cooker, overall 3-4 whistles. If not soaked, then most likely, it will take about 25-30 minutes in a pressure cooker. In the case of stove-top cooking in a pot, it may take about 30-40 minutes, with an additional 10-15 minutes if the dal isn't soaked.

Can I use whole green moong dal instead of split dal?

For most recipes that call for split dal, you can just as easily substitute it with whole green moong dal. It tastes even earthier and has a firmer texture. The cooking time increases though longer by 40-45 minutes in a pressure cooker or about an hour cooking it over the stovetop. Soaking the whole dal for a few hours reduces cooking time and makes the dal softer while cooking.

How to richen Green Moong dal flavours?

You can temper the green moong dal with cumin seeds, mustard seeds, and a pinch of asafoetida for better flavours. Chopped ginger, garlic, and onions add deep flavour to the tadka. Some lemon juice or chopped tomatoes toward the end can give added tanginess. Fresh coriander leaves are another nice garnish to be added for freshness and aroma.