Simple Snake Guard Curry

Being a working mom, sometimes it gets really busy at work.  By the time I pick up my daughter, take her to other classes and come home, I am almost ready to hit the bed.  It is so tempting to pick up some take out on the way home but, I try not to do so at least on the weekdays.  This curry is for one of those crazy busy days when you have maybe about 20 minutes you could spare to cook.  Also, many Indian vegetables come in frozen ready to use bags now, it makes life easy.  Some of them come close to the fresh vegetables but, not all. At least it gives me an option of using vegetables while I cook :)

Ingredients:

·         Snake Guard – 2 cups chopped into small strips (I used the frozen chopped)

·         Moong Dal - 1 cup

·         Mustard seeds – 1 tea spoon

·         Jeera  (Cumin) seeds – 1 tea spoon

·         Curry leaves – 5-6 leaves

·         Onion – ½ medium finely chopped

·         Green chilies – 3 split

·         Cilantro – ¼ cup finely chopped

·         Salt – 1 tea spoon (add per taste)

·         Olive oil – 1 tea spoon

·         Water – 3 cups

Method:

To a pan on medium heat, add the oil and let it heat.  Then add the Mustard seeds and let it splutter.  Add Jeera and Curry leaves.  Now add onions and saute it until translucent.  Add Moong Dal and fry it for about 1-2 minutes till you can smell the fragrance of the dal.  Add the Snake Guard, Salt and water.  Let it cook for about 15-20 minutes till the dal is cooked.  Add Cilantro.  Take some aside for non spicy version.  Add Green chilies and cook for 2 more minutes.  Simple Snake Guard curry is ready to be served.  It tastes good with just plain rice, Chapati, Roti  or Phulka.