Easy Moong Dal Mashed Yellow Split Peas Recipes

MOONG DAL

Steps:

• Rinse split peas; soak in 2 1/2 cups of water for 30 minutes.
• Heat split peas and water, with salt, until boiling. Reduce heat to medium and cook 15 to 20 minutes, until tender and thickened. Add more water, if necessary, to prevent drying out. To the cooked split peas add ginger, jalapeno pepper, tomato, lemon juice and turmeric.
• Heat oil in a small saucepan and add cumin seed and red chile pepper. When pepper is heated add Asafoetida and garlic. Stir mixture into split peas and add cilantro; mix well.

YELLOW SPLIT PEA DAL

Steps:

• Place split peas in a saucepan with 5 cups of water.
• Cover and bring to boil.
• Lower heat and simmer very slowly, partially covered until soft (2-2/12 hours) Melt butter in large skillet.
• Add crushed garlic, cumin, mustard seeds, turmeric, and cinnamon.
• Cook, stirring, over medium heat for 3 minutes.
• Add cooked peas and stir until everything is well mixed.
• Keep stirring and cooking as you gradually add an additional 1/2 cup water.
• You want a creamy consistency but not soup.
• Add salt, black and red peppers.
• Cook and stir another 5 minutes over low heat.
• Serve hot.

EASY CURRIED YELLOW DAL (YELLOW SPLIT PEAS)

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan melt butter over medium heat. Add chopped onion and salt. Saute until soft, about five minutes. Add garlic and saute until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
• Add remaining spices and stir. Saute for about 1 minute, cooking spices. If spices start to stick to pan, add some water - 1/4 cup should do. Add peas and stir to coat with butter, onion, and spice mixture. Add broth, 1/2 cup water and bring to boil. Cover and reduce heat to simmer.
• Simmer for 40-50 minutes or until peas are tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed. (Check peas periodically - you may need to add more water during cooking if peas are absorbing the liquid too quickly). Garnish with chopped cilantro/coriander leaves before serving.
• Options: Serve with hot basmati or brown rice for a filling one-dish meal. Or, double the broth/water to make a curried pea soup. To turn this into a spicy curry, add some finely chopped jalapeno, serrano, or chile pepper at the same time as the garlic.
• Update 1/6/2010: Some people have reported issues with the peas taking longer to soften. I have never had an issue but try cooking the onions without salt and waiting until the last 10 minutes or so of cooking time to add the salt. I have heard salt interfers with lentils softening perhaps it is the same for split peas. Curry powder - I usually use a mild Indian yellow variety, the all-purpose kind found in most US supermarkets. But I have also made this with a hot Madras and it was also delicious (but spicy!).

JAIPUR-STYLE QUICK AND EASY MUNG DAL

Steps:

• Add the mung beans, water, turmeric and carrots to a heavy-based medium pan over a high heat and bring the water to the boil; reduce the heat and allow the contents of the pan to simmer, semi-covered, for 15 minutes, or until the mung beans start to break down; add the cauliflower florets to the pan and simmer for another 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat the ghee in a small pan over a medium heat; add the cumin and fennel seeds and gently cook them, stirring occasionally, until they have darkened a few shades; add the chilies and ginger and continue cooking until aromatic.
• Pour the contents of the small pan into the simmering soup in the medium-sized pan; add the fresh coriander leaves, lemon juice, salt and pepper; serve hot in individual serving dishes with a simple rice dish or bread.