Panchmel dal

This is a tasty pakistani dal recipe!
The use of mint,ginger and fennel pwd gives a dal a nice flavour!

Ingredients:
Chana dal or chickpea dal-1 cup,

Arhar or toor dal- 2 tbsp,
Masoor dal or red lentil- 2tbsp,
Dhuli urad dal or white lentil- 2tbsp,
Dhuli moong dal or green lentil- 2 tbsp,
Tomato- 2-chopped,
Red chilli pwd-1/2 tsp or according to taste,
Fennel pwd-1 tsp- divided,
Shredded ginger -1 tsp,
Garlic paste-1 tsp,
Turmeric pwd- 1/2 tsp,
Ghee -1 tsp for dal and 1 tsp for tempering,
Salt to taste,
Warm water-2 cups,
Garam masala pwd- 1/2 tsp,
Green chiili-1- chopped,
Mint or pudina leaves- a handful,
Ginger julienne-2 inch-sliced into juliennes,
Red whole chilli- 2,
Cumin seeds- 1 tsp,
Hing or asafoetida- a pinch,
Onion 1/4- cut into small pieces or sliced.

Method-
Wash and soak the dal in warm water for 1/2 hour.

Once soaked,put the  strained dal in the cooker and discard the water.

Add chopped tomatoes,ginger garlic paste,red chilli pwd,turmeric pwd,1/2 tsp fennel pwd,salt and 1 tsp of ghee.

Add 2 cups of warm water.

Stir and close the lid.
Put the heat to high and let it cook till it gives out 4 whistles.
Close gas and leave it some time for the lid to open.

Once you open the lid,do not stir too much,just once or twice.

Add chopped green chilli,chopped mint leaves,garam masala pwd,fennel pwd-1/2 tsp and half of ginger juliennes.

Taste and adjust salt.
Stir once and let it come to boil,then lower the heat for a minute,then close gas.

 Pour the dal in your serving dish.
The mint should not be cooked too much as it will turn black.
Pour the dal into your serving bowl.

Tempering:
Heat ghee in a small pan.
As ghee heats,add cumin seeds and whole red chilli.

As cumin begins to roast,add a pinch of hing and then add the chopped onions and the left over ginger juliennes.

Cook on low heat and as the onions are lightly brown,close gas.

Pour the tempering over the dal and serve.

This is a quick recipe dal and goes very well with roti and any vegetarian or non veg dish.
This is a side dish and serves 6 to 7.