Quick and Easy Kaali dal

Another of my quick recipes for a dal which tastes more exotic than it is.

1 measure mixed whole pulses soaked overnight
2 onions
1 tomato
2 tsp ginger garlic paste
2 tsp dhania powder
2 tsp jeera powder
1 tsp red chilli powder
Kasuri methi
salt to taste
oil


Method
Fry the chopped onions till they turn transparent.
Add ginger garlic paste, dry masalas, and fry till the raw smell goes
Add chopped tomatoes and fry till they turn mushy.
Put the masala with the dal in a pressure cooker, add sufficient water, and cook till soft
Garnish with kasoori methi (optional) and boil once before serving.

Palak-Soya

Something whipped up on a day when there was no paneer, but one craved the palak gravy. Tasted pretty decent.

1 measure soya chunks
1 bunch spinach
1 onion
1 tomato
3 pods garlic
1/2 inch piece ginger
1/2 tsp each mirchi powder, dhania powder, jeera powder
Garam masala powder
Salt to taste
Oil for frying

Cut onion, ginger and garlic into small pieces, and fry till the onions turn transparent.
Add chopped tomatoes, chopped spinach, and all the powders and fry till the tomatoes become mushy. Keep aside till the mixture is cool, then pour into a blender and blend till it forms a smooth paste.
Meanwhile, bring about 2 glasses water to boil, add oil and salt, throw in the soya chunks, reduce the flame and let it cook for about 5 mins. Drain and keep aside

Lightly fry the cooked soya nuggets, then pour the spinach paste, add water and let it cool on a low flame for about 5 minutes.