Steamed Moong Diamonds in Onion Fry

Steamed ground moong dal is the simplest and easiest way to add protein to our diet. My mother makes a lot of variations using moong dal & chana dal. I used the simplest and easiest method and I used moong with skin to enhance the nutrition.



Ingredients



For the moong diamonds

1 cup moong dal with skin

1" piece ginger

2-3 garlic

1 green chilli

1 onion chopped fine

1/4 cup chopped coriander

1/8 tsp cumin seeds

2 whole peppercorns

a pinch of baking soda

1 tbsp thick yoghurt

salt to taste



For the onion fry

1 medium onion chopped fine

1/4 tsp onion seeds

1/4 tsp jeera

1/4 tsp ajwain

1/4 tsp mustard seeds

1/8 tsp fennel seeds

4-5 garlic chopped fine

1/2 cup chopped coriander

1/4 cup chopped mint leaves (optional)

1/4 tsp turmeric powder

1 tsp lemon juice

a pinch of sugar

salt to taste

3 tbsp oil



Method



Wash and soak the moong dal for 4 hours or overnight. Drain and grind it coarsely with ginger, garlic, green chilli, cumin seeds, peppercorn. Mix the chopped onions, yoghurt, baking soda and salt.

Apply some oil on a deep dish and spread the mix evenly over it. Steam it for about 5 minutes or until the tip of the knife inserted comes out clean. Allow it to cool and run a knife vertically and horizontally like you would cut a cake to get diamonds. Remove the diamonds and keep aside.



In a frying pan, heat the oil, add all the whole spices. When it starts spluttering, add the garlic, chilli and fry for a minute. Add the chopped onion and cook till it is soft but not brown.Add salt, sugar turmeric and the steamed diamonds and stir fry the diamonds around to allow them to be coated in the gravy. Reduce flame and allow it to simmer covered for about 1 minute. Add the chopped coriander, mint and lemon juice. Stir to mix well. Serve hot with chapatis.