Masoor Dal (Lentils) With Swiss Chard

Swiss Chard is one leafy vegetable that I have always wanted to try out after coming to US, but never did. Finally, this week I got home the much awaited leafy green, Swiss Chard. I paired the greens with masoor dal and the outcome was a comforting, soul satisfying curry, that was well paired with hot steaming rice. You can replace the swiss chard with spinach and make the same curry, in case you can't get swiss chard locally.

Ingredients:
Lentils/Whole Masoor Dal - 1 cup
Swiss Chard - 1 cup, finely diced (include the red colored stalks too)
Onion - 1 medium sized, diced
Tomato - 1 medium sized, diced
Tomato Paste - 2 tsp
Chilli Powder - 1 tsp
Mustard Seeds - 1/4 tsp
Garlic - 3 cloves, finely minced
Oil - 1 tbsp
Salt - As per taste

Grind To Paste
Fresh Grated Coconut - 2 tbsp
Coriander Seeds - 1 tbsp
Cumin Seeds - 1//2 tsp
Water - 2 tbsp


Method of Preparation:
1. Cook the lentils/masoor dal and half of the chopped onions with 3 cups of water either in a pressure cooker for 1-2 whistles or in a pot with water for 20 - 25 minutes or just until the lentils are cooked.
2. Heat oil in a heavy bottomed vessel. Add mustard seeds, after they splutter, add the remaining chopped onions, fry for a minute, then add the minced garlic and fry for few seconds. Add the chopped swiss chard and stir until the greens are slightly wilted.
3. Add the chopped tomatoes and fry till they slightly soften.
4.  Add the cooked masoor dal/lentil including the water in which they were cooked. Add more water to get the desired consistency. Add the chilli powder and salt.
5. Let the curry simmer for 5-10 minutes.
6. Add the tomato paste along with the ground paste, mix well. Simmer the curry for 5-10 minutes on low heat.
7. Serve the Masoor Dal with Swiss Chard along with hot rotis or steamed rice.

Masoor Dal Cabbage Curry

Earlier I had posted Tomato Cabbage recipe, which was super yummy. Today I wanted to make something different with cabbage. Long back I had bought a packet of whole masoor dal, which I hadn't even opened yet. I wanted to try a combination of masoor dal with cabbage and tomato. I had fresh ginger and I used it flavor the curry. The ultimate dish was super tasty and yummy.

Ingredients:
Cabbage - 2 cups, finely chopped
Whole masoor dal /lentils - 1/4 cup
Tomato - 1, medium sized, finely chopped
Onion - 1, small, roughly chopped
Green chillies - 5, finely chopped
Garlic - 2 cloves, finely chopped
Ginger - 1/4 tsp, finely chopped
Cumin Seeds - 1/4 tsp
Mustard Seeds - 1/2 tsp
Turmeric Powder - a pinch
Oil - 1 tbsp
Salt - As per taste

Method of Preparation
1. Add masoor dal to a vessel along with 2-3 cups of water, a pinch of salt and cook covered on medium heat for 15 minutes or until the dal gets cooked. Drain the water and keep the cooked masoor dal aside.
2. Heat oil in a pan, add mustard seeds, after they splutter, add cumin seeds, fry for a few seconds and add the chopped garlic. Fry for 20 seconds.
3. Add the chopped onion, chillies, turmeric powder and cabbage to it, mix well, add salt and cook covered for 5-8 minutes. Sprinkle a little water, if needed.
4. Stir in between, add the chopped tomatoes, cooked masoor dal and mix well. Cover the lid and let the tomatoes cook, will take around 5-8 minutes.
5. Adjust the salt, add the chopped ginger, mix well and cook covered for 4 more minutes.
6. Enjoy the masoor dal cabbage with steamed rice or rotis.