Odia Dalma (Lentils with Mixed Vegetables — Eastern Style)

Ingredients

• 200g yellow moong dal, rinsed
• 100g mixed vegetables (pumpkin, brinjal, okra, cabbage), cubed
• 2 tbsp ghee
• 1 tsp mustard seeds
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 2 dried red chillies, whole
• 1 sprig fresh curry leaves
• ¼ tsp turmeric powder
• ½ tsp Aleppo pepper
• 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
• 750ml water
• 2 green chillies, slit lengthwise
• Salt, to taste

Method

1. 1
   Bring 750ml water to boil in a heavy-bottomed pot; add rinsed moong dal and turmeric, simmer 12 minutes until just tender.
2. 2
   Heat ghee in a tadka pan over medium-high heat; toast mustard seeds, cumin seeds, dried chillies, and curry leaves until seeds crackle (30 seconds).
3. 3
   Fold vegetable pieces into simmering dal; add ginger-garlic paste and season with salt.
4. 4
   Pour hot ghee tadka directly into dal, stirring gently to combine flavours.
5. 5
   Simmer 15 minutes until vegetables are tender and dal begins to break down slightly.
6. 6
   Finish with fresh green chillies and Aleppo pepper; adjust seasoning and serve hot.