Sona Mung Dal Bengali Yellow Lentil Simple

Method

1. 1

   Dry roast the moong dal: Place 1 cup moong dal in a dry pan on medium heat. Roast stirring for 3 to 4 minutes until the dal turns lightly golden and smells nutty. This dry roasting step is specifically Bengali — it transforms the flavour of the finished dal from simply sweet to nutty and more complex.

2. 2

   Wash the roasted dal: Once roasted, transfer to a bowl. Wash in 2 to 3 changes of water. Drain.

3. 3

   Pressure cook: Place washed roasted dal in a pressure cooker with 3 cups water and 1/2 tsp turmeric. Cook on high until first whistle then medium for 2 whistles. The roasted moong cooks quickly — 2 whistles is sufficient.

4. 4

   Open and check: The dal should be completely soft and flowing. Stir and mash partially.

5. 5

   Add salt and sugar: Add salt and a small pinch of sugar. Stir. Keep warm on low heat.

6. 6

   Heat ghee for tempering: Heat 2 tbsp ghee in a small pan. Ghee is essential for Bengali moong dal — mustard oil or vegetable oil produces an inferior result.

7. 7

   Add cumin seeds: Add cumin seeds to the hot ghee. Wait for them to crackle and turn golden.

8. 8

   Add dried red chilli and asafoetida: Add dried red chilli — let it darken in the ghee for 10 seconds. Add asafoetida. Stir briefly.

9. 9

   Pour the tempering: Pour the entire hot ghee tempering into the dal. The ghee will sizzle as it meets the watery dal.

10. 10

    Stir and serve: Stir well. Taste and adjust salt and sugar. Serve with steamed rice as the simplest Bengali lunch.

11. 11

    Note: Sona Mug Dal (sona mug = golden moong in Bengali) is made in every Bengali household several times a week — it is the everyday dal of the Bengali kitchen. The dry roasting of the moong dal before cooking is specifically Bengali and produces a nuttier flavour than unroasted moong. This dal is the first food given to Bengali babies at their annaprashan ceremony (first rice feeding). It is also the dal that is made when someone is unwell or recovering, when the appetite needs something simple and easy to digest.