Nucchina Unde /Steamed Lentil Protein rich Dumplings

 

Ingredients:

1. Lentils: Thuar Dal-1 cup, Chana Dal-1 cup, Red Lentil-1/2 cup, Moong Dal-1/2 cup, Green split Moong Dal-1/2 cup
2. Cinnamon powder-2-3 pinches
3. Ginger - Grated
4. Green Chilies - Finely chopped or grind coarsely
5. Asafoetida - 2-3 pinches
6. Coconut - Grated
7. Cilantro - Finely chopped
8. Spinach - Finely chopped
9. Dill leaves - Finely chopped
10. Methi leaves-Finely chopped
11. Moringa leaves-Finely chopped. Alternatively you may add moringa powder
12. Onions-Diced
13. Celery-Diced
14. Bottle Gourd-Grated
15. Green mango-Grated
16. Salt to taste
17. Ghee (Clarified butter) - To dip

Method: Soak all the Lentils overnight or at least for 4 - 6 hours. Drain the water out from lentils, grind them coarse enough without adding any water but you should be able to get a binding when you make a ball out of it. Add rest of the ingredients except Ghee. Add salt at the very end otherwise the mixture can become very runny. We want the mix to be easy to make oval shaped balls and steam them on a greased utensil for 12-15 minutes. 

Tips for soft and moist Dumplings:

1. Bottle Gourd keeps Dumpling soft and moist, additionally including more to your nutrition and fiber intake.

2. Do not add any water to this mix, because the vegetables and salt will leave its own water and gets runny.

3. Add salt at the end to this mixture just before you want to steam them. 

4. You can make a larger batch of this mixture without the salt alone and store in refrigerator for upto 1-3 days. And whenever you have some guests or feel like having a quick protein rich breakfast or lunch or snack or dinner, just mix salt and steam them.

5. To avoid dumplings that turn out very dry to the bite and swallowing, but rather have moist dumplings, while making the balls keep your hands loose while binding them and try not to squeeze them or the water out too much.

6. Onions are optional, you may omit as you prefer

7. Vegetables and greens are all optional, however if you add them they bring in more fiber, nutritious and moist dumplings.

* Star ingredient & healthy Twist in this recipe