Usal Misal - Taste of Maharashtra

Ingredients: Usal
Sprouted Mixed Lentils - 2 cups
Pav or Hamburger buns - as needed

I used moth(matki) beans, whole moong dal, black eyed peas and dried white peas.  Mix all the beans, wash and soak over night.  Next day drain the water and sprout.

Sprouted Mixed Lentils 

For the sauce:

Onion - 2, large
Tomato - 2, chopped
Coriander seeds - 2 tbsp
Cumin seeds - 2 tsp
White Sesame seeds - 1 tbsp

          Boiled lentils (usal), spicy sauce, onion, cilantro,
                              grated mango and farsan

Fennel seeds - 1 tbsp
Red chilies - 5 or to taste
Black pepper corns - 1 tsp
Cinnamon stick - 1 inch piece
Cloves - 5
Garlic - 2
Grated Coconut - 3 tbsp
Turmeric powder - 1 tsp
Asafetida - 1/2 tsp
Salt - to taste
Oil - 4 TBSP

For the topping: Misal
Onion - 1, finely chopped
Fresh coriander / cilantro - 1/2 bunch, finely chopped
Grated raw green mango (optional)
Farsan, spicy mixture or fine sev - as needed
Lemon wedges - as needed

Method:

1. Boil the sprouted lentils with enough water and salt in the pressure cooker.
2. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a skillet.  Add cumin seeds and let it splutter.
3. Add cinnamon, cloves, coriander seeds, sesame seeds, fennel seeds, black peeper and red chilies.
4. Fry for 2 minutes or until it gives nice aroma.
5. Add the grated coconut and fry until golden brown.  Transfer the mixture into a bowl.
6. In the same skillet, heat 1 tsp of oil and fry the onion and garlic until soft.  Let it cool.
7. Grind the spice mixture, onion and garlic along with chopped tomatoes to a fine, thick paste.  Add water as needed while grinding.
8. Heat 3 tbsp oil in a large skillet.  
9. Add the ground paste and mix well.  Add asafetida, turmeric powder and salt.
10. Cover and cook the paste until oil separates.  
11. Add some water to the sauce and bring it to a boil.  The sauce should look like a thin soup.
12. Cover and cook the sauce for 15 minutes.
13. Assembling:
14. Place some boiled lentils in a bowl.  Pour the sauce over it.  Top it with chopped onions, grated mango, chopped cilantro and farsan.  Garnish with lemon wedge.
15. Serve with pav or hamburger buns.

Enjoy!