Mooga-Dali Usli (Mung Dal/ Green Gram Dal Bhaji).

“Mooga-Dali Usli (Mung Dal/ Green Gram Dal Bhaji)” … A simple delicious high protein usli/ upkari/ bhaji from Konkani Saraswat Cuisine prepared often for breakfast … tastes awesome served with roti/ poori/ bread etc. … Yummilicious …

** Mooga dali usli or Green Gram Dal bhaji is a common dish in Konkani Saraswat community prepared for breakfast in combo with each ones preference. While some have it as it is too with some steamed nendrabale kele/ banana for breakfast, some prefer with roti/ chapatti/ hot puffed poories etc. This dish is often served even during auspicious functions like Ram Navami or other festive days too in temples or at home, though the same is not usually prepared during marriages or other functions. Well, each home has their own method of preparing it, the way they like, some add grated ginger while some prefer hing and they are some who add on both and all of them taste wonderful.

** The trick to a tasty mooga dali lies is spicing it the way you like but with bare minimum quantity of the same and not overdue with the spices. Mooga dali has a sweet taste of its own which is very appealing and should not be messed up adding more spices except when it is in case of khichidi where in lies the addition of rice too. Again, Mooga Dali Usli is prepared in three way, one method is just cooked where the dal is cooked yet remain separate as in pulav, then the second is the dal is cooked slightly more to combine well, yet slight crunch remains and the third is to cook it mushy just way little less than thick dal consistency while in all usually the spices and other ingredients remain same.

** In my home we prefer the first and second method though at times hubby does like the third option of mushy dal. The first method is usually prepared along with inclusion of rice in my home with lots of grated ginger and coconut and it tastes great, you will find it in blog using search option. However, I grew up relishing the second method where the dal cooked well, yet remained in slight crunch as mom always served it with poori or roti or bread slices as I mentioned, so it’s a childhood habit and I prefer it so. Having said that if to be served with roti/ poori etc. then the third option tastes better as the mushy texture goes well with it. So, make a choice of your own and enjoy it the way you prefer in your home.

** Here is my simple recipe for “Mooga-Dali Usli (Mung Dal/ Green Gram Dal Bhaji)” …

** Wash one cup of moong dal/ mung dal/ Green gram dal well in plenty of water. Strain well in a colander and keep it ready aside. Keep 2 cups of water to boil separately while we proceed with the preparation of the usli, let it simmer aside.

** Heat 2 tblsps of ghee/ oil in a thick bottomed kadai, I have used ghee. When melted and hot, lower the heat, add 1 tsp of mustard seeds (rai/ sasam), when they begin to splutter add 5-6 green chillies (tarni mirsanga/ hari mirchi) slit lengthwise or cut to small pieces, 1 tsp hing (asafoetida) powder and 7-8 curry leaves (karbevu/ kadipatta). Fry for a second and then add in the strained moong dal and mix well.

** Fry all ingredients well on low heat for 2 minutes as it turns the moong dal well cooked to remain slightly separate, sprinkle water a little bit if necessary if you find that the dal is getting stuck to the bottom. Add 1.5 cups of boiling water and keep ½ cup aside to add on later if necessary only. Mix well, add salt (namak/ meeta) to taste and mix well, bring to boil, then lower the heat to minimum, cover and let cook.

** Check it out in between for water consistency and add some boiling water kept aside if needed. Cover the kadai with a fitting lid and let cook covered till 85-90 % done. Add in ½ cup of freshly grated coconut (soyi/ nariyal) and mix well. Cover and cook until done, remove and keep it aside for 5 minutes to cool a bit and then serve as it is or with poori/ chapati or any other accompaniment of your or your family preferences.

** “Mooga-Dali Usli (Mung Dal/ Green Gram Dal Bhaji)” is done and ready to served. You can serve it hot as it is or with any accompaniment of your choice like chapatti/ poori/ roti etc. as it tastes great with it. A very healthy dish as moong dal is one of the best dal, high on protein with other health nutrients included in it. Do add it in different forms into your diet and reap in its benefits as and when possible.