Artificial Food Coloring Free Vegan Cozy Moong Dal
Warm, golden, and deeply fragrant, this moong dal is the kind of bowl that feels like a hug from the inside out. Split yellow mung beans simmer down into a silky, porridge-like base seasoned with turmeric and salt, then get finished with a sizzling tadka of cumin seeds, mustard seeds, onion, garlic, ginger, and tomato that transforms the whole pot into something truly special. Every single ingredient here is whole and recognizable — no dyes, no artificial additives, nothing that requires a magnifying glass on a label. That matters more than you'd think, because packaged spice blends and flavored condiments are surprisingly common sources of synthetic colorants, and this recipe sidesteps all of that by building its vivid color naturally from turmeric and tomato. A bright squeeze of lemon juice at the end lifts everything and ties the flavors together beautifully. Serve it over basmati rice or scoop it up with flatbread, and don't skip the fresh cilantro if you have it — it adds a clean, herby finish that makes the whole dish pop.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the dal
- 1 cup yellow moong dal (split yellow mung beans)
- 3 cups water
- ½ tsp ground turmeric
- ¾ tsp salt, plus more to taste
For the tadka
- 2 tbsp coconut oil or neutral oil
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- ½ tsp black mustard seeds
- 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, finely grated
- 1 medium tomato, finely chopped
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
For serving
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, roughly chopped (optional)
- cooked basmati rice or flatbread, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the rinsed moong dal, 3 cups water, and ground turmeric in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, partially covered, for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the dal is completely soft and has broken down into a thick, porridge-like consistency. Stir in the salt, then reduce the heat to low to keep warm.
- 2
Heat the coconut oil in a small skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the cumin seeds and mustard seeds and cook, swirling the pan, for 30–45 seconds, until the mustard seeds begin to pop and the cumin is fragrant — watch closely, as the seeds can brown quickly.
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