In this feature, I present my experiences in cooking Dhal Or Indian Lentil. This lentil is yellow in color. There is another form of Indian Lentil called Masoor Dhal (this is reddish in color and I like both). Many wannabe vegetarians address the fact that fibre in a vegetarian diet causes gas, which can be a major source of embarrassment, even just thinking about it, let alone have gas building up in your digestive tract.
Now, Dhal is a favorite lentil and vegetarians love it, for its protein. Now they also find themselves discovering that Dhal is high in fiber and fiber lends gas. One guy actually had the nerve to declare that fiber was a nuisance and that protein is the only component of the human diet!
So before we sing the praises of fiber, I can tell you this much: fiber is in fact very much part of a heart-healthy human diet just as a balanced amount of protein is. It is necessary to answer the following question: How do we deal with the gas that comes with the introduction of fiber? The cooking method can be adopted.
Cooking method:
1) Wash Dhal in cool running water.
2) Soak Dhal overnight or for at least 4 hours.
3) Throw away the soaking water and replace with fresh water.
4) We are now going to use this fresh water to cook Dhal
( My favorite method of cooking Dhal is a pressure cooker. An open pot would work as well.)
5) The amount of water in the pot should cover the Dhal for above 2 inches above it.
As an alternate method I also tend to use 2 cups of water to 1 cup of Dhal.
6) Drop a piece of ginger into the Dhal.
7) I have also tried fennel and Cumin, but if eating Dhal with an Indian Curry like taste is not the end goal then I would advise against cumin or fennel.
8)While the Dhal is cooking, one might see froth or bubbles building up in the pot. Try skimming as much of this as possible.
9) When the Dhal is done cooking, cover the pot with a lid for about 15 minutes.
The end result should be a minimum of gas (hopefully), but if you have never gone the fiber route before, the body needs time to adjust to fiber and it eventually does. So if you cook Dhal for the first time, it could be a small portion, good amounts of water and you should be fine.
In the next feature, I will feature a simple Dhal recipe with vegetables in it.
Now, Dhal is a favorite lentil and vegetarians love it, for its protein. Now they also find themselves discovering that Dhal is high in fiber and fiber lends gas. One guy actually had the nerve to declare that fiber was a nuisance and that protein is the only component of the human diet!
So before we sing the praises of fiber, I can tell you this much: fiber is in fact very much part of a heart-healthy human diet just as a balanced amount of protein is. It is necessary to answer the following question: How do we deal with the gas that comes with the introduction of fiber? The cooking method can be adopted.
Cooking method:
1) Wash Dhal in cool running water.
2) Soak Dhal overnight or for at least 4 hours.
3) Throw away the soaking water and replace with fresh water.
4) We are now going to use this fresh water to cook Dhal
( My favorite method of cooking Dhal is a pressure cooker. An open pot would work as well.)
5) The amount of water in the pot should cover the Dhal for above 2 inches above it.
As an alternate method I also tend to use 2 cups of water to 1 cup of Dhal.
6) Drop a piece of ginger into the Dhal.
7) I have also tried fennel and Cumin, but if eating Dhal with an Indian Curry like taste is not the end goal then I would advise against cumin or fennel.
8)While the Dhal is cooking, one might see froth or bubbles building up in the pot. Try skimming as much of this as possible.
9) When the Dhal is done cooking, cover the pot with a lid for about 15 minutes.
The end result should be a minimum of gas (hopefully), but if you have never gone the fiber route before, the body needs time to adjust to fiber and it eventually does. So if you cook Dhal for the first time, it could be a small portion, good amounts of water and you should be fine.
In the next feature, I will feature a simple Dhal recipe with vegetables in it.
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