Gram Dal with Brinjal

Ingredients

• 1 cup/250ml gram/chana dal (soaked overnight or for a few hours)
• 1 onion (finely chopped)
• 1 sprig curry leaf
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/4 tspn mustard seeds
• 1/4 tspn cumin seeds
• 2 dry chillies
• 2 green chillies
• 1/2 tspn ginger/garlic paste
• 1/2 tspn turmeric
• 2 tspn masala
• 1/2 tspn garam masala
• 1 tomato (blanched and pureed)
• 1/2 of one large brinjal (cut into cubes)
• 1/2 cup water
• 3 tbsp light olive oil or vegetable oil
• salt

Instructions

1. 1

   Rinse the gram dal well. Place in a pot and cover it with water. Boil on medium heat until the gram dal is soft and tender but still retaining it's shape. Cut brinjal into cubes and soak in some salted water and set aside.

2. 2

   Heat oil on low heat and add the cinnamon stick, bay leaf, mustard seeds and cumin seeds. Once the seeds burst add the, chillies, onion and curry leaf

3. 3

   Once onion turns slightly brown add the ginger/garlic paste and fry for a minute. Add the turmeric and masala and cook for a few seconds

4. 4

   Add the brinjal and allow it to cook until its a little tender.

5. 5

   Add the pureed or grated tomato and simmer on a low heat until brinjal is cooked

6. 6

   Add the gram dal, season with salt, cover and simmer on a low heat. Once it starts drying up add 1/2 cup of water (or less) and allow it to cook until the gravy thickens. Mix in the garam masala and turn off the heat.

7. 7

   Garnish with chopped coriander. Serve with Indian bread or Basmati Rice