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 Shona 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.
Dida used to call it Sona Muger Dal. Sona Mug is actually a variety of Moong Dal available in West Bengal and in the stores, those are having Bengali section within or outside India. Bhaja Mooger Daal is all about the comfort, the sweet taste and the aftertaste of Ghee. A soothing Bengali Side it is for a few spoonfuls of rice.
The recipe of Sona Moong er Daal calls for very basic things apart from the Yellow split lentil. You need a few spices such as red chili, cumin seed and powder, bay leaf and some ginger paste to make the Daal. Ghee is an integral part of this delicacy. Though optional, however, I like tomatoes in my Sona Muger Dal. Last but not the least, green chilis not only givens the hotness but required for the distinct aroma as well!
Bhaja Moong er Dal
- Total Time: 25 mins
- Yield: 5 People 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Bhaja Moong er Daal aka Sona Muger Daal is a no onion no garlic comforting Lentil soup from Bengali Cuisine.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (150g) Yellow Split Moong Dal (Sona Muger Dal)
- 1 Tomato (medium; chopped) (optional)
- 2 Green Chilies
- ½ Tsp. Cumin Seed
- 2 Dry Red Chili
- 1 Bay leaf
- 1 Tsp. Ginger Paste
- ½ Tsp. Cumin Powder (optional)
- ½ Tsp. Turmeric powder
- 1.5 Tsp. Sugar
- 2 Tsp. Ghee
- 1 Tsp. Salt or to taste
Instructions
- 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.
Notes
Tomatoes are optional however I prefer mine with it.
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.
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: Bengali
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 35-40g
- Calories: 66
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 0.3g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 11.9g
- Fiber: 1.9g
- Protein: 4.1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Bengali Bhaja Moong er Dal, Bhaja muger dal recipe, bengali moong dal recipe, sona moong er dal recipe, debjanir rannaghar
Easy Bengali veg recipes
- Bori Aloor Jhal (also known as Bengali Bori'r Jhal)
- Jhuri Aloo Bhaja
- Shukto a Bengali delicacy | Bengali Mix-veg Shukto Recipe
- Paneer er Dalna (also known as Niramish Paneer Er Torkari)
- Papor er Dalna (also known as Bengali Papad Curry)
- Chanar Dalna (also known as Bengali Cottage Cheese and Potato Curry)
- Kochu Shak er Ghonto (also known as Taro Leaf Mishmash)
- Katoya Data Chorchori (also known as Bengali Style Mix-veg with Drumsticks)
- Pat Shaker Jhol (also known as Pat Patar Jhol)
Have you tried the Bh Muger 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.
Toa Bagchi says
Ahhh.. Munger Daal... the fragrance of fried daal is just too good.... love it with begun bhaja..
Titas says
When I put sugar and salt and cumin powder after 1 min caramel formed... Then when I put the holes daal. It solidified
Debjani says
Why do you need caramel for Daal!! That's not how I make it...