It’s Thirsty Thursday, and I’m back on the range, though only for a short while. Last year at this time, I was busy preparing for my Ladakh ride, working on my gear and accessories, and sorting out the itinerary. This year, the situation is similar, but the destination is Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh.
When it comes to biking in the countryside, one thing I miss most, aside from off-roading, is the comforting taste of a hot bowl of soup. On many of my long rides, I prefer to enjoy a bowl of soup to warm myself up and recharge for the next leg of the journey. If I’m travelling within the state, my preferred choices are Palak Soup or Vegetable Soup, often accompanied by some bread. However, when I’m biking in the hills, soupy Maggi noodles become my go-to comfort meal.
A comforting bowl of Noodle Soup served in Ladakh. I must have gorged on countless bowls during my ten day ride.
Today, I’d like to share my three-step recipe for Green Lentil Soup, commonly known in India as Moong Dal Soup. This soup is packed with energy and can be prepared in under ten minutes, making it ideal for those times when you need to get food on the table quickly. Give it a try, and happy cooking!
Cook time – 20 minutes ( including the time needed to boil the lentil )
Ingredients:
Green Lentils ( whole ) – 1 cup
Ginger-garlic paste – 1/2 tsp ( try to use freshly made one rather than packaged )
Turmeric powder – a pinch
Fresh Turmeric or Haldi – one small pod ( optional )
Bay leaf – 1
Crushed Peppercorns – a pinch
Lime Juice – 1 tbsp
Sesame oil – 2 tbsp
Salt – to taste
Vegetable Stock – 300 ml
Cream – for garnish
Coriander leaves – for garnish
Method:
1 ) Boil the green Lentils in enough water for 15 minutes.
2 ) Heat the Pan and add Oil. Saute the ginger garlic paste, turmeric powder, Bay leaf, peppercorns and fresh turmeric pod ( finely chopped ) for a minute.
3 ) Simmer and add the Lentils along with stock. Add salt. Boil for five minutes. Remove from flame and serve hot topped with lime juice, unsweetened cream and coriander. Enjoy.
P.S.: add some Chilli flakes if you prefer spicy.
