It was a super hectic week at the office and I was eagerly waiting for the Saturday; my exclusive day to relax with 2-3 cups of coffee and bunch of newspaper. This then followed by a simple vegetarian lunch since I am a Saturday vegetarian. I prefer to have a simple lunch on Saturdays. Bhaja Moong er Daal is something that I Prepare almost every alternate Saturdays. My Dida used to prepare heavenly Bhaja Moong er Daal and I follow her recipe line by line. So my Bhaja Moong er Daal is not complete without a spoonful of Sugar and the generous amount of Ghee! 😛
Bhaja Moong er Dal is a Typical Bengali delicacy prepared almost in every Bengali Households. This Daal is a Bong version of Lentil Soup prepared no Onion and no Garlic. Bhaja refers to “Fried” however this Daal is prepared with dry roasted Moong Daal, in fact, the special aroma of dry roasted Daal is the significant characteristic of this Daal.
- Serves: 5 People
- Serving size: 35-40g
- Calories: 66
- Fat: 0.3g
- Saturated fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 11.9g
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fiber: 1.9g
- Protein: 4.1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Yellow Split Moong Dal (Sona Muger Dal): 1 Cup (150g)
- Tomato: 1 medium; chopped (optional)
- Green Chili: 2
- Cumin Seed: ½ Tsp.
- Dry Red Chili: 1-2
- Bay leaf: 1
- Ginger Paste: 1 Tsp.
- Cumin Powder: ½ Tsp. (optional)
- Turmeric powder: ½ Tsp.
- Sugar: 1.5 Tsp.
- Ghee: 2 Tsp.
- Salt: to taste
- Take Moong Daal in a Non-stick pan and dry roast over medium to medium-low heat 1-2 minutes or till the dal changed to a golden color but not brown and emit a nutty aroma.
- Switch the flame off and Transfer dal to a bowl and wash daal thoroughly.
- Now boil dal along with the turmeric powder, 1 whole chili, and salt till it softens in a pan with a lid on for 20 minutes.
- Else simply use a pressure cook the same which requires 3 whistles. I mostly opt for a Pressure cooker for this step.
- Heat ghee in a Pan and temper the Ghee with Dried Red Chili, Bay leaf, and Cumin Seeds and fry for a ½ minute.
- Add little water and cook till the water evaporates.
- Add Ginger Paste and fry for ½ minute more.
- Now add chopped tomatoes (optional) and stir constantly.
- Add Salt, Sugar, Cumin Powder, ad slit Green Chili to the mixture and cook for 1 minute.
- Pour boiled dal into the mixture and mix well.
- Cook in medium flame for 5 more minutes & remove from heat.
- Add little Ghee to fish the dish.
- Serve Bhaja Muger Dal with Plain Rice along with Begun Bhaja or any other veg or non-veg side dishes.
You can skip the cumin powder as well.
You can top it with a few cilantro as well.
Ghee can be substituted with Oil, however, that will not give the richness and aroma to the Daal.
To serve Bhaja Moong er Daal:
I personally love to have Bhaja Moong er Daal along with Aloo Phulkopir Dalna as an accomplishment for plain rice. At times I serve it with Chorchori as well. Then there are times when humble Aloo Bhaja or Aloo Bhate is more than enough.
Have you tried the Bhaja Moong er Daal/ Sona Muger Dal Recipe from Debjanir Rannachar!
Do let me know how it came out if you tried it at home. Also, I would love to see a picture of the same which you can share here on dolonchttrj@gmail.com. On Instagram you can use my hashtag #debjanirrannaghar or you, in addition, you can tag me at @foodofdebjani.
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**Pictures updated in 2018.
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