Mixed lentil Curry

Here is an interesting preparation of four different lentils in one curry. This is a protein rich recipe and tastes great with roti and rice. This is my recent addition to my no-onion-no-garlic days. While the tomato adds the required tang, the ginger hints a pungent flavor to this gravy. You can skip the butter on top and enjoy the vegan version

Typically in Goan cuisine, lentils are cooked in a coconut based gravy – referred as tonak (you can refer to Red Cow Peas tonak). However breaking and scraping coconut for weekday dinners seems a tough one, so coconut is now only restricted to weekend cooking :). Weekdays are all about quick recipes. Here is one of them…

Serves: 3
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

Chick Peas (Kabuli chana) : 1 tbsp (boiled)
Black eyed beans : 1 tbsp (boiled)
Red Cow Peas : 1 tbsp (boiled)
Black lentil (Masoor) : 1 tbsp (boiled)
Tomato : 2 (chopped)
Ginger : 1/2 inch piece (finely chopped)
Green Chilli : 1 (finely chopped)
Chilli Powder : 1/2 tsp
Turmeric Powder : 1/4 tsp
Cumin Powder : 1/2 tsp
Cumin Seeds : 1/2 tsp
Mustard seeds : 1/2 tsp
Oil : 1 tsp
Butter : 1 tsp (optional)
Coriander leaves : 1 tbsp (finely chopped) for garnishing
Salt : as per taste

Method of Preparation:

1. Lightly smash the boiled grains and keep aside. (You can boil the grains together.)
2. Heat one tsp oil in a skillet. Add mustard seeds.
3. Once the mustard seeds begin to splutter, add the cumin seeds.
4. Once the cumin seeds begin to sizzle, add the chopped green chilli.
5. Add chopped tomatoes and let it cook on a high flame till the tomatoes turn soft and mushy. You would need to be around and give an occasional stir to avoid the tomatoes from burning or sticking as we have used very little oil.
6. Once the tomatoes turn soft, add chilli powder, turmeric powder and cumin powder and mix well.
7. Add the cooked lentils and some of the boiled-lentil water (or plain water) (you can adjust the amount of water based on the required consistency).
8. Add salt, mix and let it cook for 2-3 minutes. Add a spoon of butter, garnish with coriander and serve hot.