Moong dal Kosumbari(Cucumber and mung dal salad)

Cucumber and mung dal kosumbari

"Kosumbari" is the term for salad in the Kannada language(called 'koshimbir' in Marathi). Kosumbari/koshimbir is one of the easiest salads and it always reminds me of the traditional foods made during festivals and weddings. A kosumbari is different from the rest of the salads as it incorporates soaked split yellow mung beans and a tempering which adds a nice flavor and aroma.
Ingredients for the kosumbari/koshimbir:

• Cucumber: 1 cup (finely chopped)
• Mung dal: 1/4th cup (washed and soaked for at least an hour)
• Green chillies: 1 slit lengthwise (optional)
• Coconut: 2-3 tsp (freshly grated/frozen)
• Cilantro/coriander leaves: 2 tsp (finely chopped for garnish)
• Lime juice: 1-2 tsp
• Salt: to taste

For the tempering (optional):

• Mustard seeds: 1/2 tsp
• Cumin: 1/2 tsp
• Urad dal (split black matpe beans): 1 tsp
• Curry leaves: 2-3 nos.
• Oil: 1tsp

Method:

1. Mix all the ingredients together.
2. Heat the oil in a non-stick pan, add the mustard seeds,cumin seeds and the urad dal.
3. When the mustard starts to sputter,add the curry leaves.
4. Pour the tempering over the cucumber and mung dal kosumbari/ koshimbir(salad) and mix well.

You could also try adding some grated carrots and grated raw mango to the cucumber and mung dal kosumbari/ koshimbir to give it some colour and make it tangy.

Question: What dish reminds you of a festive spread?

Banana Raitha

Banana Raitha

Banana Raitha used to be a hot fave when I was a kid.Made along with a festive lunch [I always wondered why they wouldn't make a festive spread daily ;-)],with all the other yummy stuff that the festival calls for,I would have a hard time deciding what to eat first! Whenever mom made Banana Raitha on regular days,I would polish it off with hot 'phulkas' without touching the other curry's! This year on 'Ugadi' I made banana raitha and again for lunch on Easter. It's a subtle mingling of all tastes (sweet,salty,sour and a touch of spicy) and can be eaten as such or with phulkas.
Ingredients:

• Yogurt/curd-1 cup(preferably homemade)
• Low fat milk-1 cup
• Bananas- 2 very ripe
• Sugar-6 teaspoons
• Salt-1/2 teaspoon(or to taste)
• Mustard seeds-1/2 teaspoon
• Zeera/Cumin seeds-1 teaspoon
• Dry red chillies-1-2(broken)
• Curry leaves-2-3nos.
• Oil-1 teaspoon

Method:

1. Blend half cup yogurt/curd and half cup milk along with one banana,sugar and salt.
2. Pour into a bowl.Add the rest of the yogurt and milk and mix well.
3. Chop the other banana and add to the raitha.
4. Heat the oil,add the mustard and cumin seeds.When the mustard splutters,add the broken dry red chillies and then the curry leaves.
5. Pour this over the banana raitha and mix.
6. Serve the banana raitha chilled with hot phulkas (or eat as a snack).