Tezzbuzz Desk- Lentils are an important part of Indian kitchen and are considered an excellent source of vegetarian protein. Dal, which is prepared almost daily in every household, is not only a dish, but it is also an emotional comfort food. Irrespective of the season, winter, summer or rainy season, dal is liked all the time. But do you know that by adopting the right way of preparing pulses, its nutrients can be obtained in a better way?
Often people just wash the lentils and put them directly in the pressure cooker and cook them with spices. This method is certainly easy, but not correct. By adopting the right technique, you can improve both the taste and nutrition of lentils.
It is very important to soak the pulses for at least 30 minutes before cooking them. This reduces the phytic acid present in pulses, which hinders the absorption of iron, zinc and calcium in the body. After soaking, the water of pulses should be thrown away and pulses should be cooked in fresh water only. This makes pulses more healthy and easier to digest.
Instead of cooking the pulses directly with the lid on, first boil them in the open. It is very important to remove the foam that comes up while boiling. This foam is a mixture of saponins and impurities, which can cause problems in digestion. The right way is to boil the lentils without a lid for a few minutes and remove the foam.
Boil the dal without lid for first few minutes and remove the foam. Only after this add salt, turmeric and other spices. Then cook it in a pressure cooker. Finally, the dal can be made more tasty by adding tempering in desi ghee or oil. This method further enhances the flavor of lentils.
Cooking is not just a daily task but an art. We get all the nutrients from food only when it is cooked properly. If you keep these small things in mind while preparing dal, not only will it taste better, but it will also prove to be more beneficial for your health.
