Green Moong Dal / Mung Beans

Whole Green Moong Dal is a simple high protein, delicious curry made with green lentils and spices in an Instant Pot or a stovetop pressure cooker.

Ingredients

• Measuring cup used 1 cup = 250 ml
• ¾ cup dry Green gram/dry whole green mung lentil/moong dal
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 large onion chopped
• 2 medium tomato chopped
• 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
• 3 green chilies split in half
• 1 teaspoon salt adjust to taste
• 2-2.5 cups water
• 2 tablespoon coconut oil
• coriander leaves for garnish
• juice of ½ lemon

Spices

• ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
• ½ teaspoon cayenne or red chili powder (adjust to your preference)
• 1 teaspoon coriander powder
• 1 teaspoon garam masala/curry powder

Instructions 

Instant Pot Method:

1. Firstly, wash and soak moong dal overnight (or about 6-7 hours).
2. Press Saute on Instant Pot. Add oil and once it’s hot add cumin seeds. Let them crackle.
3. Add ginger-garlic paste, saute till the ginger-garlic turns golden brown.
4. Next add onions, green chili and allow to saute for 2-3 minutes until translucent – stir regularly.
5. Then add tomatoes, dry spices like turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder, garam masala, and cook for 1-2 minutes, till tomato turns soft.
6. Now add soaked moong dal, water, and salt give a stir.
7. Close the lid on the pot. Set the pot to manual (High Pressure) and set the timer to 3 minutes (for firmer moong beans) or 5 minutes(for softer, broken up moong beans).
8. Once the pot beeps, manually do a quick pressure release (QR).
9. Lastly, remove the lid away from you, add cilantro and lemon juice. Also, adjust the consistency of the dal at this point.
10. Whole green moong dal is ready and serve hot with any flatbread, boiled rice, roti, quinoa or eat as a soup.

Stovetop Pressure Cooker:

• Follow the same steps as above. Just cook the green lentils on a stovetop pressure cooker for 2 whistles on high heat, then set the heat to medium-low and cook for another 5-8 minutes.

Stovetop Pot/Pan Method:

• Use a thick bottomed deep pot or pan. Follow the same steps as above. Add the soaked green moong dal, 3-3.5 cups of water. Cover the pan with a lid and cook the green lentils on medium-high flame till done (appx takes 15-20 minutes).