This is a delicious recipe for Moong dal with coconut milk and jaggery, which can be offered to Lord Krishna according to Srila Prabhupada's standard and for the pleasure of anyone who might be fortunate enough to taste Krishna's prasadam. Remember, however sweet this preparation might be, it only tastes that good because you offered it to Krishna! Make it and distribute to friends and family; be careful not to take it all yourself (although very tempting).
Ingredients
250g moong dal
2 Tbsps + 1 cup ghee Paruppu Payasam
1L + 1/2 cup of water
Handful of chopped coconut
Handful of cashews
Handful of raisins
300 ml coconut milk
1 1/2 cup dark jaggery
1 tsp of cardamon powder
2 small pieces of medicinal camphor (optional)
Pinch of salt
1 pot and 1 kadai or 2 kadai (iron wok)
1 spatula
Gas stove
Measuring cups
Knife for cutting coconut
Method Paruppu Payasam
Fry the moong dal in a pot or kadai with the tbsp of ghee two minutes to remove the raw smell of the dal.
Add 1 liter of water to dal and bring to a boil.
Cook for 15 minutes uncovered or until the dal is cooked till mushy. It should not be completely cooked until the point of full disintegration. Set the dal aside.
In a wok or kadai, place 1 cup of ghee and heat it on medium flame until hot. You can test the temperature with the back of your hand over the ghee and feel that it is sufficiently warm. Carefully place the coconut pieces, in first and fry them for 15 seconds, and then the cashews and raisins, which cook much more quickly. Fry these dry fruits until aromatic and a few shades darker.
To this add 1/2 cup of water and step back to avoid the spluttering oil. Once the spluttering oil has stopped, place the jaggery into the oil and melt it down. The water is added to help melt the jaggery.
When the jaggery is melted, add the coconut milk. Bring to a boil.
Once boiling, add in the moong dal.
Once boiling again, add in the cardamon powder and camphor. Mix well.
Boil uncovered for another 3-4 minutes. Add 3 tbsps more of ghee once removed from the heat.
Serve to Krishna and let Him enjoy for at least 15 minutes before removing the offering and serving the preparation. Hare Krishna!
Learn how to offer food to Krishna in our handy e-book:
