Moong Dal / Green Gram And Paneer Curry

          Ever since I started using this moong dal /green gram with skin, I have become a huge fan of it, it's not only more healthy ( extra fiber from the skin) but also very tasty. I had used it in the cabbage pongal and now in this curry along with homemade paneer/ cottage cheese.  Adding paneer made this dish even more tasty and I also added some capsicum and kasuri methi for some extra flavor. We had it with pav / buns, you can even have it with some plain toast too..

Need To Have

• Moong Dal/Green Gram With Skin - 1/2 cup
• Grated Paneer/ Indian Cottage Cheese - 1/2 cup
• Green Capsicum -  1 1/2 cup chopped
• Tomato - 1 medium chopped
• Garlic cloves - 4 chopped
• Red Chilly Powder - 3/4 teaspoon
• Turmeric Powder - 1/4 teaspoon
• Garam Masala -  1/2 teaspoon
• Kasuri Methi - 2 tablespoons
• Cumin Seeds - 1/2 teaspoon
• Black Mustard Seeds - 1/4 teaspoon
• Fenugreek Seeds - 1/4 teaspoon
• Salt - to taste

Method

          Pressure cook the moong dal ( about the same time to cook raw rice). Heat some oil, add the cumin and mustard seeds, once it starts spluttering add the fenugreek seeds, mix till it turns golden. Then add the chopped garlic and saute till it starts turning golden brown. Now add the chopped capsicum and keep mixing for about 3 minutes.

          Add the tomatoes and saute for a minute, then add the turmeric and chilly powders along with the salt, keep mixing till the tomatoes turn mushy. Now add the cooked dal and a cup of water , mix and simmer it for about 5 minutes.

          Then add the grated paneer, garam masala and kasuri methi ( crush it between your hands before adding), mix and cook for another 2 minutes. Serve it warm with any bread of your choice.

Note
Can soak the moong dal and then cook it in a regular vessel instead of pressure cooking.
Kasuri Methi is dried Fenugreek leaves, available in Indian grocery stores.
Also readymade paneer is available in Indian stores.
Add more or less water to the curry, depending on how thick or thin you want it.
Can serve it with a dash of lemon if you want it a little more tangy.
Take care, not to burn the fenugreek seeds, gives a bitter taste to it.