Pressure cook chana dal under tender, but not very mushy. I cook dal in Instant Pot for 8~10 minutes on High pressure. You can coarsely mash dal lightly with the back of a spoon for a creamier dish.
Heat oil in a medium size sauce pan on medium flame. Add urad dal, mustard & cumin seeds, dry red chilies and once the seeds start to splutter, add curry leaves, onions and green chilies. Cook until the onions turn translucent, about 3~4 minutes.Add chopped gongura and cook until wilted, about 4~5 minutes. Add turmeric, chili powder, salt and cook for 3~4 minutes.
Next add cooked dal and enough water to get to desired consistency. Bring the mixture to a boil, lower the heat and simmer for 3~4 minutes for the flavors to mingle. Serve hot or warm with rice or roti.
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Notes
I love this gongura dal recipe with senagapappu or chana dal. But feel free to use either toor or masoor dal (red lentils). Please note that the texture of the final dish will be slightly different.
Gongura leaves are available seasonally in well stocked Indian grocery stores. They are sold in bunches. Look for fresh looking bunches with no wilted leaves.
Gongura has a pleasant sour taste. But sometimes, the sourness is not as strong or pronounced. In which case, add a little bit of tamarind paste to accentuate the taste.
Store leftover dal for up to 3 days in the fridge. Add a splash of water before reheating if the dal thickens as it sits.