Sookhi Moong Dal: Dry Yellow Moong Lentils

8 May

Dal is usually cooked in soupy form, but yellow moong dal – the skinned and split form of moong beans – lends itself to very interesting dry recipes. Sookhi moong dal is one such.

Sookhi Moong Dal

You Need:

  • Yellow moong dal – 3/4 cup [buy here]
  • Turmeric powder – a pinch
  • Water – 1 cup for cooking + 2 cups for soaking
  • Salt and pepper – to taste
  • Butter – to taste
  • Lime juice – 1/2 tablespoon

How To Make Sookhi Moong Dal:

Wash moong dal in several changes of water till the water runs clear.

Soak moong dal in two cups of water, overnight or for ~6 hours.

Moong Dal Soaked in Water

Drain the water and wash again. In a thick-bottomed wide pan, put the soaked and drained moong dal.

Moong Dal Soaked and Drained

Pour in a cup of water. Add a pinch of turmeric.

Moong Dal Ready to Cook, with Turmeric

Stir. Place the pan on high heat.

Moong Dal Cooking in Water

Let the pan heat up till the dal reaches a rolling boil.

Moong Dal Boiling

Now set the heat to medium and cook the moong dal covered, undisturbed.

After fifteen minutes, start to keep an eye on the pan – continue to cook till the moong dal become almost dry. Cook till all the water has been absorbed. The dal pearls should be intact in shape but soft to bite.

Boiled Dry Moong Dal

[The time of cooking can vary according to the thickness and width of your pan. If you want the dal softer, or if the pan becomes too dry, add a couple of tablespoons of water again and continue to cook covered till dry.]

Add salt, pepper and freshly squeezed lime juice to the cooked moong dal.

Moong Dal Boiled with Salt and Pepper

Serve sookhi moong dal hot, with a generous dollop of butter. Works great on its own for breakfast…

Sookhi Moong Dal

…as a side dish on a thali – one such below: chapatis, pumpkin mangodi curry, methi dahi, sookhi moong dal, fresh radish slices and dates.

Pumpkin Mangodi, Dry Moong Dal with Butter, Methi Dahi, Chapatis

…or as part of a Buddha bowl – one such below: tomato rice, sookhi moong dal, amaranth leaves stir-fry, sauteed cauliflower.

Buddha Bowl - Tomato Rice, Sookhi Moong, Saag

Notes:

Hungry for more moong dal recipes? Try moong dal cheela, moong with zucchini and coriander, ridge gourd moong dal.

One Response to “Sookhi Moong Dal: Dry Yellow Moong Lentils”

  1. Danguole May 11, 2015 at 10:56 PM #

    I love dal but have never had it non-soupy! This looks fantastic. Simple and comforting and a great base for adding seasonal veggies.

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