By Ujjainee Roy
August 19, 2024
If you love dal, you should explore the Kerala-style dal which is infused with coconut, giving it a creamy texture and a distinctive taste. This dish is typically made with moong dal and is often served as part of a traditional Kerala meal. Here is an easy recipe which you can try at home!
– 1 cup moong dal (yellow lentils) – 1/2 cup grated fresh coconut – 2-3 green chilies (slit) – 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder – 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds – 1/2 teaspoon black mustard seeds – 2-3 dried red chilies – 1 sprig curry leaves – 2 tablespoons coconut oil – Salt to taste – Water
Rinse the moong dal thoroughly and drain. In a pressure cooker, add the rinsed moong dal, turmeric powder, and enough water to cover the dal. Cook the dal for about 2-3 whistles or until it becomes soft and mushy
While the dal is cooking, grind the grated coconut and cumin seeds into a smooth paste using a little water. Set this aside. Once the dal is cooked, open the pressure cooker and mash the dal slightly to make it smooth.
Add the coconut paste to the dal and mix well. If the dal is too thick, add some water to achieve the desired consistency. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for a few minutes. Add salt to taste.
In a small pan, heat the coconut oil over medium heat. Add the mustard seeds and let them splutter. Add the dried red chilies, slit green chilies, and curry leaves. Sauté for a few seconds until the curry leaves are crispy and the red chilies darken.
Pour the tempering over the simmering dal and mix well. Cook for another minute, then remove from heat.