Black Lentils

Indian name: Urud dal Properties of Urud dal Taste: Sweet Quality: Unctuous and Heavy Potency: Warm Medicinal properties of Urud dal (Black Lentils )  It is a very good aphrodisiac, increases reproductive fluid, gives strength to the body, increases lactation, and serves as an effective laxative. Most of the digested dal is converted into stool. So this dal is effective in purish kshya, a state in which stool is not formed properly. It helps produce stools of good texture, volume, and weight that are soft, flexible and easy to pass. Dosha analysis of Urud dal  It increases pitta and kapha dosha, while pacifies vata dosha. Since this dal is very difficult to digest, ginger, garlic and spices like asafetida are added to make it more digestible. Ingredients One cup split urud dal (spilt black lentils, ivory in color, available in Indian groceries) Four cups of water A pinch of asafetida A teaspoon of cumin seeds Three cloves of garlic (chopped) Half a teaspoonful of turmeric A teaspoon of sea or rock salt (it may be according to taste) Two teaspoons of peeled and chopped fresh ginger A small green chilli (optional) (excessive pittaj person should avoid it) A teaspoon of mustard seeds A teaspoon of powdered coriander powder A medium sized onion (chopped well) A teaspoon of ghee Preparation  Wash Urud dal well. Drain it with water and remove any unwanted foreign material and imperfect seeds if any. Put dal, turmeric powder, sea or rock salt, and water in a pressure cooker (an airtight metal pot that uses steam under pressure at high temperature to cook food quickly). Close the lid and boil for 10 to 15 minutes on moderate fire until dal becomes soft and turns golden, and before it becomes too dark. Warm some ghee in a pan. Add some cumin seeds and mustard seeds for popping. Make sure these do not get black. Add a few onions and fry them till they turn golden brown. Now add ginger, green chilies, garlic and tomatoes, and fry till tomatoes soften down. Now add dry spices such as chili powder, coriander powder and fry the mixture again for a moment. Add boiled dal and stir on medium flame. As soon as it starts boiling, remove from the gas.