Pigeon Beans

Ingredients

• 2 cups pigeon beans (found at most Indian grocery stores, ask for "arhar dal" or "toor dal").
• 7 cups of water
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder (haldi)
• 1 teaspoon of coriander powder
• ½ teaspoon of red chili powder (optional)
• 1 tsp cumin seed (jeera)
• 1 tsp chopped ginger (adrak)
• 1 teaspoon of chopped and unpeeled garlic cloves
• 2 bay leaf (tej patta)
• 1 pinch of asafoetida.
• 1 tablespoon of ghee
• Salt to taste
• Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and lemon juice.

Method

1. ash the dal and put the dal in a pan with water. Add turmeric, coriander powder, chili powder and salt and cook over a low flame.
2. You may use pressure cooker for boiling the dal for reducing the time.
3. When the dal is cooked remove from heat.
4. Heat the ghee in a pan and add cumin seeds, asafoetida and bay leaves until popping occurs. Make sure these do not burn. Add garlic, ginger and fry until these become light brown on low heat.
5. Put this ghee mixture in cooked dal and mix well.
6. Serve warm.

Medicinal Properties of Arhar Dal

It is a very light, protein and fiber-rich legume preparation. It is stholayahar (reduces weight). It is a clear soup which is very good for diarrhea, IBS, indigestion and for post operative patients. It is a good recipe during accumulation of ama. Regular use of these beans help in cleansing the clogged channels and makes you ama free.