This is as authentic as south Indian food gets. It is a simple salad made with split green gram dal, carrots and a few spices. This dish is also very traditional and served in most south indian weddings and other special occasions.
Everytime I eat this dish, it brings back special memories of every wedding and other events I have attended back home in Chennai. It denotes festivities for me and makes the meal extra special!
1/2 cup yellow moong dal (split green gram dal)
2 medium sized carrots, peeled and grated
1/2 tsp asafoetida
1/2 tsp salt
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp cilantro, finely chopped
3 Indian green chillies, finely chopped (substitute 1 serrano or 1/2 jalapeno pepper)
1 tsp mustard seeds
1 tbsp canola or vegetable oil
When preparing any Indian lentil, the first step is to wash them well. After washing, soak the moong dal in cold water for 1 hour. Drain the soaked dal, pat dry with paper towels and set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, add the grated carrots, salt, lemon juice and cilantro. In a small pan, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add mustard seeds and when they start popping, add asafoetida and green chillies. Fry for a few seconds and add this to the carrot mixture mix well and let sit for 5 minutes.
Add the soaked dal to the carrot mixture, gently toss everything together, check for seasoning and serve at room temperature.
wow.. looks delicious and healthy.
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Thanks Mahimaa! It is very healthy and nutritious.
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Hey, thanks for taking me down the memory line….surely gonna try this.
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One of my fav dishes – tastes great with paruppu kozhambu saadam. It wouldn’t be a full, authentic South Indian meal without this, grated carrot salad or sliced cucumber salad.
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Gayatri,
Thanks! Let me know if you need assistance while trying it : )
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Rajesh, I could not agree with you more!
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Great recipe! Thanks!
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