Ingredients

• 1 cup - toor dal
• 6-8 sprigs - Fresh asparagus sticks
• 1/2 tsp - mustard
• 1/2 tsp - cumin seeds
• 1/4 tsp - Hing (asafoetida)
• 2 to 3 - Green chillies, medium sized
• Coriander leaves, chopped
• A few curry leaves
• A pinch of garam masala (optional)
• 4 or 5 tbsp of oil/ ghee
• Salt to taste

How to Make Asparagus Dal

• Pressure cook the toor dal.
• Chop the asparagus sticks into 2 inch pieces.
• Heat oil/ ghee in a pot, add mustard.
• When they splutter, add cumin seeds, hing and the curry leaves.
• Then add the green chillies. Fry for a bit.
• Add the asparagus sticks and fry for a while.
• Then cover with a lid and cook on slow fire for a while.
• When asparagus is tender, add turmeric powder, the cooked toor dal and salt to taste.
• Add a pinch of garam masala if you like.
• Add water to make it as thick or thin as you like.
• Ideally, the consistency should be medium.
• Boil the dal and then add chopped coriander leaves.
• Serve hot with rice or chappatis.