Methi Dhal / Vendhaya Keerai Kootu

This is a recipe request from one of my readers, who always leaves a comment or query about my recipes  through mail. There have been a couple of recipe requests from this particular reader, who always makes my day with a nice mail or a word of encouragement over these last 2 years. Coming on to the recipe, methi is one of our favorite greens, which I include almost every week in our meals either in the form of dhal, or variety rice or aloo methi. I started cooking these greens after reading about its blood sugar lowering properties but over the years we started liking the taste of this greens as well. Here goes the recipe for one of my favorite dhal dish.

Ingredients:
1. Toor dhal or moong dhal or masoor dhal, 1/2cup.
2. Methi (fenugreek) leaves, 1 bunch, cleaned and chopped finely.
3. Garlic 2 cloves or ginger-garlic paste, 1/2 teaspoon.
4. Turmeric, a pinch.
5. Chili powder or Sambar powder, 1/2 teaspoon.
6. Hing, a pinch.
7. Onion, medium size, 1, diced.
8. Tomatoes, medium size, 2, chopped.
9. Green chilies, 2, slit into 2.
10. Salt, as per taste.
11. Cumin seeds, 1/4 teaspoon.
12. Thalipu vadagam, 1/4 teaspoon, (optional).

Preparation:
Wash the dhal and cook it in a pressure cooker or on stove top until it is mushy.  Heat a pan with a tablespoon of oil. Add the cumin seeds and fry for a few seconds once the oil is hot. Add the diced onions now and saute for a few minutes until transparent.  Then add the crushed garlic cloves and tomatoes and  keep sautéing until everything is blended. Now add the chili powder, turmeric powder, salt and mix everything well. Add the greens now and sauté for 2 minutes until the greens are wilted. Finally add the cooked dhal, hing, and a cup of water; mix everything well, and cook for 5 more minutes and switch off the stove. This can be served with rice, idli, dosais, or chapathis.

Variation: This dhal can also be made entirely in a pressure cooker like a one pot dish. This method is quicker and easier without the sautéing or precooking the dhal. Just add everything into the cooker and cook for 15 minutes upto 3 whistles and then once the pressure is off, add the seasonings.