Masoor dal: The pink tinted lentil

Did you know? Masoor dal in its original whole (sabut) grain form is dark brown in colour, but when polished turns a bright pink tint. It is skinned and broken into half, which we then call the red masoor dal. Being very nutritious, this legume helps in maintaining good health and your optimal weight. One bowl of this lentil fulfils the requirement of a complete meal.

It is a popular staple in Indian homes and is known for its ease of cooking. This crop takes less than half an hour to be completely cooked. A hint of sweet flavour makes this the most delicious lentil among the whole array.

SETTING IT APART

Red masoor dal is rich in tyrosine, an amino acid which is known to cause an increase in the adrenalin. Therefore, this lentil is considered tamasic. A legend has it that this crop grew from the blood of the wish-fulfilling divine cow Kamdhenu, hence is unwelcome in the Vaishnava kitchen.

Yet, giving this lentil the due value, it takes the lead in health benefits. When added to wheat flour, the grain makes the ideal batter for cakes and bread. The starch obtained from this dal is used in printing and for textiles.

CULTIVATION

The highest production of this legume is in India. It can be grown in all types of soil, especially fragile and weed-free soils.

However, farmers must steer clear away from alkaline, saline soils, and waterlogged lands. This crop requires a temperature of around 20 degrees Celsius with 99mm rainfall. Seeds should be sown between the latter half of October and early November.

Source: apnikheti.com

NUTRITIVE VALUE OF MASOOR DAL

A powerful lentil, this dal affords huge benefits for well-being. Abundantly rich in protein as well as iron, it makes for a perfect meal in a vegetarian diet. The nutritive value of one cup of masoor dal is:

Calories	300+
Dietary fibre	19 gms
Calcium	8%
Vitamin C	13%
Potassium	500mg
Protein	19gms

HEALTH BENEFITS OF MASOOR DAL

Lowers cholesterol and therefore is good for your heart and other coronary ailments.
As it stabilises and maintains blood sugar and is also low on Glycemic Index, this crop is a go-to lentil for diabetics.
This dal is packed with antioxidants which reduce cell damage. The nutrient in this lentil enhances the immune system.
Masoor dal is rich in minerals such as magnesium and calcium, which keep our bones healthy and teeth shiny and powerful.
Reap the full advantages of this dal and its vitamins (E, C, A) which go a long way to give you healthy vision, protecting eyes from cataracts and other eye disorders.
Consuming masoor dal gives a good complexion and boosts long and strong hair.
The grain also has anti-ageing properties.
While this dal keeps you strong for a long it works wonderfully as a beauty ingredient for stunning skin and hair.

Tip: Make a face mask of masoor dal and haldi. Apply it on your face for a silky and smooth shine. This mask helps in reducing tan too.

Lastly, masoor dal which is low in fat and high in dietary fibre is a must-try legume. This lentil slows down the digestion process, which aids in weight loss.

DISHES WITH MASOOR DAL

The sweet and savoury taste of masoor dal makes this one of the favourites of Indian housewives. When cooked well, it breaks down enough to be blitzed into a soup.

Here are some delicious Big Basket recipes:

Warm soup in cold winters:

https://www.bigbasket.com/cookbook/recipes/1653/mulligitawny/

Hearty soups:

https://www.bigbasket.com/cookbook/recipes/2285/hearty-lentil-soup/

Totally yummy:

https://www.bigbasket.com/cookbook/recipes/2225/masoor-and-beans-biryani/

Something festive:

https://www.bigbasket.com/cookbook/recipes/800/veg-dhansak-with-brown-rice/

With these tips in mind, do try out this highly nutritious and beauty-enhancing dal!