Sojne Pata diye Bhaja Muger Dal (Drumstick Leaves Dal - Bengali Style)

          This is a simple, homemade style dal (lentil) made with dry roasted green gram (moong dal) along with some drumstick leaves. The latter has a lot of health benefits and is nutritious, so I combined the two to make this dal. It turned out very yummy and can be had either with rice or chapatti. However, I prefer having it with hot steamed rice. This is no restaurant style dish and it is a no-onion-no-garlic recipe. I gave a panch phoron flavor to the dal a la Bengali style.  So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare it.

          Dal-Chawal is an ultimate comfort food for many. At times we just can't do without it. A simple homemade dal served along with plain steamed rice is just out of this world. 

          A dollop of  ghee and accompanied with some papad, potato / eggplant fry is something irresistible. What can one ask for? End of the day this is pure divine. You need nothing else. 

          So make this simple dal a little more healthy by adding some Drumstick (Moringa) leaves and see the difference it makes. So Happy Cooking !!!

• 1/2 cup moong dal (green gram), dry roasted & soaked for 30 minutes
• 1 cup (tightly packed) drumstick leaves
• 2 tbsp. mustard oil
• 1 tsp. panch phoron
• 2 dry red chilies
• 2 bay leaves
• 1" cinnamon stick
• 2 green cardamoms
• 4 cloves
• 1 tsp. ginger, grated
• 2 green chilies, slit
• salt to taste
• 1/2 tsp. turmeric powder
• 1 tsp. ghee

          Pressure cook the soaked dal, drumstick leaves and 1 & 1/2  cups water for 4-5 whistles. Mash slightly and keep aside.

          Heat oil in a pan. Temper with dry red chilies, bay leaves, cinnamon, cardamoms, cloves, ginger, panch phoron and turmeric powder. Saute for a few seconds.

          Add the boiled dal, green chilies and salt. Bring it to a boil and simmer for 4-5 minutes on a low flame. When done, switch off the flame and add the ghee. Give it a stir. 

          Serve with plain steamed rice and some aloo bhaja (potato fry), begun bhaja (eggplant fry) or papad for a wholesome simple meal. 

                     Pressure cook soaked dal, drumstick leaves & 1 &1/2 cups water for 
                     4-5 whistles. Mash slightly and keep aside.

                        The boiled dal. 

                      Heat oil & temper with dry red chilies, bay leaves, cinnamon, cardamoms, 
                      cloves, ginger, panch phoron & turmeric powder. Sauté few seconds.

                      Add boiled dal, green chilies & salt. Bring to a boil & simmer for 4-5 
                      minutes on a low flame. 

                        When done, switch off the flame & add ghee. Give it a stir. 

                       Serve with plain steamed rice, accompanied with aloo bhaja (potato 
                       fry), begun bhaja (eggplant fry) or papad.