Dal (Lentils) with vegetables

If you are hard pressed for time and have to get dinner ready in a hurry, try this nutritious dal (lentil dish), mildly spiced and chock full of vegetables. It is made entirely in the pressure cooker without having to "mind the stove", and avoiding mutiple pans and steps. It is a healthy and tasty accompaniment to rice and bread.

2/3 cup moong dal (small yellow lentils), washed
3 medim sized carrots, diced
2 small zucchini squash, cut into large dice
2 medium sized tomatoes, chopped
2 cups cut fresh or frozen spinach
2 inch piece of ginger, grated
1 large green chilli, whole or halved
2 tblsp chopped corinader leaves (cilantro)
2 tsp dhania-jeera (coriander-cumin) powder
1 tsp turmeric powder
1/2 tsp hing (asafetida) - optional
2 tsp salt

For seasoning:
1/2 tsp black mustard seeds
1 tsp jeera (cumin seeds)
2 small whole red chillies
4 curry leaves
4 - 6 tsp oil

Put water in pressure cooker container to boil. In a stainless steel vessel/ bowl that fits inside the cooker, place all ingredients except the seasoning. (Put the lentils in the container, rinse and drain; then add other ingredients).

Heat oil in a small skillet or pan. Add mustard, cumin and red chillies. When they start spluttering, turn off the stove and add torn curry leaves. Mix with all other ingredients. Add 2 cups water.

Pressure cook for at least 10 minutes after the pressure builds up. Turn off the stove and let the pressure drop before removing from the cooker. Mix well and serve with rice or bread.