Yellow Cucumber Dal.

Yellow cucumber is chopped up and cooked in oil along with whole spices. Toor dal is pressure cooked separately and added to the cucumber. Finally lemon juice is added to the cucumber dal just after removing from heat. Serve yellow cucumber dal with steamed rice or with roti.
Makes: around 4 Servings of Yellow Cucumber Dal

Ingredients:

Raw Yellow Cucumber 1 Small
Toor Dal 1 1/2 Cups
Green Chiles 3 – 5
Lemon Juice 4 – 5 Tbsps
Turmeric Powder 1/2 tsp
Salt to taste

Talimpu:

Mustard Seeds 1/4 tsp
Cumin Seeds 1/4 tsp
Urad Dal 1/4 tsp
Broken Dried Red Chiles 3 – 4
Asafoetida a Big Pinch
Curry Leaves 5
Oil 2 tsps

Method of preparation:

Wash toor dal with water thoroughly and pressure cook in 3 cups of water for 3 whistles.
Wash, peel, remove ends, discard seeds and chop lemon cucumber into small pieces.
Remove stems, wash and slice the green chiles.

Heat oil in a deep vessel, add all talimpu ingredients in order.
When mustard seeds start spluttering, add green chiles, chopped lemon cucumber, turmeric powder and salt.
Pour a cup of water and cook covered until lemon cucumber pieces turn soft.
Uncover and add cooked toor dal along with half a cup of water (if necessary).
Bring to boil and let it bubble for few minutes before removing from heat.
Stir in lemon juice and serve yellow cucumber dal with steamed rice or with roti.
Notes: Make sure yellow cucumber is cooked well.

Suggestions: Adjust lemon according to sourness of the yellow cucumber.
Variations: Check other dal recipes here.
Other Names: Yellow Cucumber Dal.

Masala Moth Beans.

Moth beans are soaked in water and cooked till just soft. They are then added to the oil after frying onion. A freshly ground spice mixture is added to the oil for heat and taste. Serve masala moth beans as a snack or with steamed rice.
Makes: around 4 Servings of Masala Moth Beans.

Ingredients:

Moth Beans 1 Cup
Onion 1 Small
Green Chiles 1 – 2
Red Chili Powder 1/8 tsp
Cloves 1
Cinnamon 1/4 inch Stick
Coriander Seeds 2 Tbsps
Salt to Taste

Talimpu:

Mustard Seeds 1/4 tsp
Cumin Seeds 1/4 tsp
Urad Dal 1/4 tsp
Broken Dried Red Chiles 3 – 4
Oil 2 tsps

Method of preparation:

Soak moth beans in water overnight and pressure cook with around a cup of fresh water for 3 whistles.
Peel and finely chop the onion.
Remove stems, wash and slice the green chiles.
Grind cloves, cinnamon and coriander seeds into fine powder using a spice grinder.

Heat oil in a pan, add all talimpu ingredients in order.
When mustard seeds start spluttering, add green chiles and onion.
Once onion starts to brown, add ground spice powder.
Fry for couple of seconds, stir in cooked moth beans, red chili powder and salt.
Cook for around 5 minutes and remove from heat.
Serve masala moth beans as a snack or with steamed rice.
Notes: Make sure moth beans are cooked right.

Suggestions: Adjust spice with green chiles.
Variations: Check other recipes with moth beans here.
Other Names: Masala Moth Beans.