Akhha/ Sabut Masoor Dal Recipe: Tasty & Healthy

Whole Masoor dal, or fondly called as Akhha/ Sabut Masoor is power-packed dal with nutrients and has immeasurable benefits. Its health benefits are endless. Whole Masoor is one of the small and good source of cholesterol-lowering fiber from List of Indian Dals. 

Here are some of the health benefits:

• Masoor Dal contain high levels of protein, including essential amino acids isoleucine and lysine 
• It also contains fiber, folate, vitamin B1 and minerals.
• It helps to lower the cholesterol and helps in managing blood sugar levels.
• A great source of potassium and iron.
• Rich in flavones, a class of antioxidants with antioxidant properties. Studies have proved that regular consumption of lentils can reduce the risk of breast cancer.
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• INGREDIENTS FOR COOKING SABUT MASOOR DAL:

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• For Pressure Cooking:
• Sabut masoor dal : 1 cup
• 3 cups of water
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• Ingredients for making Masoor Dal:

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• Oil: 1 tbsp.
• Cumin seeds: 1/2 tsp
• Ginger:1 tsp, paste
• Garlic: 1 tsp, paste
• Green chili: 1 piece, slit
• Onion: 2 Medium sized, chopped
• Tomato: 2 Medium sized, chopped 
• Turmeric powder: 1/4 tsp
• Red chili powder: 1/2 tsp
• Coriander powder: 2 tsp (for garnishing)
• Garam masala powder: 1 tsp
• Salt: to taste 
  
  

Instructions

• Rinse the Sabut (Whole) Masoor dal with water.
• In a presser cooker take a Masoor dal and add water.
• Presser cook Masoor dal for about 7-8 min (around 4 whistles) or till the dal is cooked well.
• In a non-stick pan heat oil and once the oil is hot, add cumin seeds.
• Add other ingredients like ginger paste, garlic paste and green chili slit. Cook for about 30 sec.
• Add finely chopped onion to the oil and cook for about 2 min or until they turn golden in color.
• Add tomatoes to the onion and cook for about 2 min or till the tomatoes become mushy.
• Once the tomatoes are cooked, add all the dry Indian spices such as turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder, garam masala powder and salt to taste.
• Give a nice mix and cook for about 2 min or until the masala is cooked well.
• Add boiled Masoor dal to the onion tomato gravy and give a quick stir. Cook for about 3 min till all the ingredients blend well together.
• Finally add some fresh coriander leaves on top and serve hot.

The benefits of Masoor dal had been recognized in the centuries past and thus it has constituted as an important part of Indian cuisine. A mere cup of Masoor dal has 230 calories, about 15 grams of dietary fiber and about 17 grams of proteins. When it comes to its preparation, it's quite easy-to-make and is also found to be the most delicious among all the lentils, owing to its tinge of sweetness. 

The author is a food blogger who covers a wide range of cuisines available across the county. Dal is her most favourite that she would always love to have it beside her rice plate. She completely swears by it. She loves Masoor dal when it is served in the most simplest form.