Jhinge diye Bhaja Muger Dal (Ridge Gourd - Split Green Gram Curry - Bengali Vegan recipe)

The delicious and mouthwatering Jhinge diye Bhaja Muger Dal (Ridge Gourd - Split Green Gram Curry - Bengali Style) is a famous dish of West Bengal and is very much popular. It is not a restaurant style recipe but a homely authentic Bengali one full of nutrition and protein. Apart from the protein of Moong dal (lentil) Ridge gourd is extremely rich in dietary fiber and enriched with all the vital elements that include Vitamin-C, zinc, iron, riboflavin, magnesium, thiamine and traces of another minerals. It is low in saturated fat, cholesterol and calories that aids in weight loss. Hence it is a good recipe for kids as well.

Let’s start the recipe without any delay:-

Preparation Time: - 20 min

Cooking Time: - 25 min

Servings: - 3~4 persons

Ingredients:-

1. ½ cup roasted Green Moong Dal (lentil)
2. 1 ½ cup Ridge Gourd cut in cubded form
3. 2 tbsp Mustard oil (since it is authentic Bengali preparation I used mustard oil but you can use any vegetable oil like Sunflower oil/Canola)
4. 2 Bay leaves
5. 1 dry red chili
6. ½ tsp Panchforon
7. 1 inch Cinnamon stick
8. 2 Green Cardamom
9. 3~4 cloves
10. 2 tsp Ginger grated
11. ½ tsp Turmeric powder
12. 1~2 Green Chili
13. 1 tsp roasted Cumin Powder
14. Salt as per your taste
15. 2 tsp Ghee i.e. Clarified butter
16. 1 tsp Garam Masala
17. Few coriander leaves chopped.

Preparation: -

1. Roast the cumin powder in a flat tawa /pan and keep aside.
2. Wash Ridge Gourd thoroughly and discard the peel partially. Cut it into cubed form.
3. Dry roast the moong dal (lentil) in a flat tawa/frying pan.
4. Wash under water to cool it.
5. Mix with salt and turmeric powder. Use pressure cooker to boil the dal partially. Keep aside.
6. Take a separate non-stick Kadahi suitable for deep frying and heat oil for frying with high flame. Once heated turn the burner into medium heat.
7. Add bay leaves, dry red chili, grated ginger, cinnamon, cardamom and cloves in the hot oil.
8. Sauté for a while.
9. Now add the peeled ridged gourd and salt.
10. Cook till water comes out from the mixture. Then continue frying to make a thick paste.
11. Put roasted cumin powder in the mixture and mix.
12. Now pour the lentil slowly. Mix well with all the spices.
13. Cook for 2 minutes when continuing stirring.
14. When the thickness of the gravy turns out to your liking sprinkle Ghee on top of it.
15. Add garam masala and stop the burner.
16. Garnish with coriander leaves.

Now your yummy nutritious dal is ready to consume.

Serve hot with white rice or roti. You can enjoy it with plain steamed rice and papad as accompaniment. I even like it with crispy potato fry.

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