As kids the menu for breakfast used to be Chapati or Poori, Kheer generally Moong dal Kheer or Vermicilli Payasa, some vegetable!

Green Gram Payasam

I wonder how Amma managed it all!

I loved Shavgi Payasa or the Semiya Payasa as a child and tolerated hesarbale payasa which is moong dal payasa!

Now I feel that Moong dal Payasa is much more healthy! The benefits of growing Old!! LOL!

So what is Moong dal Payasa?

It’s a sweet porridge made from moong dal and jaggery which is unrefined sugar. Both healthy and tasty!

You get Moong Dal after the green moong bean has been split and de-skinned. Moong dal is available both with the green covering and without the green skin. The latter is called dhuli Moong Dal in Hindi. I do not know the name in other languages.

Moong daal is flat, and if skinned yellow but both are easy to digest and hence are ideal for the old and infirm as well as infants. So next time you are down with flu you know what to turn to!

One of the first solid foods that are fed to an infant is Moong Dal and rice.

You may have heard of the Indian foods like Moong dal Khichidi, Mung ki daal, Moong ki dal, Palak Moong ki Dal. There is also Mung Halwa and of course Moong dal Kheer. Kosambri or Kosamalli is a salad in Southern India with soaked yellow Moong dal. Vegetables to benefit with the addition of soaked moong dal. For snacks try Moong Vada, Moong dal and black pepper sev

In this month I will be showcasing some, not all mind you, of the recipes using moong dal.

I have already said that Yellow dal is very healthy; yes it is a good source of protein. Want to avoid the the full and heavy feeling and the flatulence eat mung dal.

Low in fat yet packed with calcium and potassium, B vitamins. So what are you waiting for include moonga chi dal in your diet!

The other kheer or payasa that I have made are Aliva chi Kheer, Dodhi or Bottle Gourd Kheer, Peas Payasa!

Moong Dal Kheer is a part the theme Simple Vegetarian Diet in Old Age.

Moong Dal Kheer

Hesarlbali Payasa as we call it was made for breakfast. You can have it as a mid-morning snack.

Preparation time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Serves: 2

Ingredients:

¼ Cup Moong Dal
2-3 tablespoons Jaggery grated (adjust to taste)
1 teaspoon Chopra/dry coconut, grated
¼ teaspoon Khus khus/Poppy Seeds
1/8 teaspoon Green Elichi/Cardamom Powder
1/4 cup Milk
Water as needed
A few cashew nuts, pistachios

Method:

Wash and rinse the moong dal.
In a thick bottomed and deep vessel add the moong dal and water. (Check note 2)
Bring to boil in an open pan till cooked.
In the meanwhile heat the chopra and khus khus/poppy seeds in a kadhai/wok till toasted. Heat them separately.
Once the moong is cooked add the jaggery. Let it melt fully.
Add the khus khus/poppy seeds, chopra and the elichi/cardamom powder.
Just before serving add the milk.

Notes:

The milk can be substituted with coconut milk in case you want a vegan drink. Also, we use dry coconut you can use fresh grated coconut.
The reason you should use a deep vessel is that the moong dal boil over just like milk boils over. For the same reason do not cover the vessel as it spills over again.

Day 2