Delicious Green Mung Dhal: A comfort dish bursting with flavour

Green mung lentils, also known as dhal, make for a comforting and flavorful dish. To prepare this meal, start by rinsing 1 cup of dry green mung lentils and soaking them for 4 to 6 hours, or overnight if you have time and prefer using a stovetop.

Next, prepare the spices by heating oil in a pot and adding mustard seeds, cumin seeds, fenugreek seeds, curry leaves, and star anise. As the seeds pop and the curry leaves sizzle, add diced onions, dried red chillies, and green chillies. Sauté the onions until they turn golden brown. Incorporate garlic and ginger paste, cooking for roughly 30 seconds until fragrant.

Now, introduce hing, followed by turmeric powder, garam masala, coriander powder, cumin powder, and mildly spiced Kashmiri chilli curry powder. Stir the mixture for about 30 seconds before adding diced tomatoes (or canned tomatoes). Allow the tomatoes to soften and break down, then add a splash of water to deglaze the pot, scraping off any flavorful bits from the bottom.

Stir in the cooked mung lentils, salt, and additional water if necessary. Bring the dhal to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes to let the flavors meld together. The dish should have a thick, velvety consistency. Finally, taste the dhal and adjust the salt if needed, garnishing with a sprinkle of chopped fresh coriander leaves.