Panchmel Dal or Panchratna Dal

INGREDIENTS

• 1/4 Cup Toor Dal/ Arhar Dal
• 1/4 Cup Chana Dal
• 1/4 Cup Moong Dal
• 1/4 Cup Masoor Dal
• 1/4 Cup Urad Dal
• 1 Medium Onion, sliced thinnly
• 1 Tspn Ginger Paste
• 2 Medium Tomato, Pureed
• 2-3 Green Chillies or as per taste, slit vertically
• 1 Tspn Garam Masala
• 1 Tspn Coriander Powder
• 1 Tspn Cumin Seeds
• 1 Bay Leaf
• 1" Cinnamon stick
• 2-3 Cardamom
• 2-3 Cloves
• 1 Dry Red Chilli
• 1 Tspn Turmeric Powder
• Salt, as per taste
• Ghee for cooking
• A pinch of Asafoetida/ Hing
• 1 Tspn Sugar or Jaggery
• 1 Tspn Lemon Juice
• Red Chilli Powder, as per taste
• 2-3 Sprigs of Coriander Leaves

 METHOD

• Soak all the lentils in water for at least 30 minutes. Pressure it with salt and turmeric, till it is soft and mushy.
• Heat a pan and add ghee.
• Add the cumin seeds, bay leaf, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves and dry red chilli. As they crackle, add hing and sliced onions. Fry them till they are well cooked, after which add the ginger paste and green chillies. Saute for a minute. Add the tomato puree, salt and turmeric. Fry till tomatoes are soft.
• Add in the previously boiled lentils. Mix well. Add water if it becomes thick. Bring to a boil. Add garam masala and coriander powder.
• Simmer for 10 minutes.
• ....and yummy panchmel dal is ready to be served. Garnish with coriander leaves. Sprinkle lemon juice as per taste.