What is Urad Dal? Urid dal or Urad dal is black lentils and is one of the staple spices used in Indian cuisine. It is the spice that brings a warm nutty flavour to curries. However, it is also a bean variety favourite for some other places that named it differently like vigna mungo (scientific term), the black gram, urad bean, ulundu paruppu, minapa pappu, mungo bean, or black matpe bean. Urad Dal was said to be first cultivated in South Asia during ancient times. Today, it is considered to be one of the most highly prized ingredients in India and is widely cultivated in both Kharif and Rabi seasons. Urad Dal: Where to buy in the UK? If you have been planning to buy urad dal for a while now – well, today must be your lucky day! Order TRS Urid Dal at Red Rickshaw now, and have it delivered to your doorstep today as well! If you’re not too familiar with this ingredient and have not used it for home cooking - here is some useful information to get you started. Nutrition Facts A 100-gram serving of Urad Dal contains: Energy: 341 kCal Carbohydrates: 58.99 grams Protein: 25.21 grams Total Fat: 1.64 grams Cholesterol: 0 mg. Dietary Fibre: 18.3 grams Urad Dal – Vitamins Content Folate, Niacin, Pantothenic Acid, Pyridoxine, Riboflavin, Thiamin, Vitamin A and C Urad Dal – Electrolytes Content Sodium and Potassium Urad Dal – Minerals Content Calcium, Copper, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, and Zinc Health Benefits of Urad Dal It has higher protein composition compared to chickpeas (Chana dal). It is a good source of dietary fibres which help reduce blood cholesterol by reducing the cholesterol-binding bile acids in your colon. It is said to be a natural aphrodisiac. It is rich in proteins and therefore is safe for vegetarians. It helps your digestive system and reduces risks of indigestion, and bowel problems. It is a great energy booster. It contains potassium which helps boost blood circulation. It serves as an agent for weight loss because it can give you a satisfying fullness minimizing chances of craving and eating excessively. Must-try Urad Dal Recipes What’s your favourite urad dal recipe? How about exploring Indian cuisine with TRS Urid Dal? Here are some delicious recipes that you can try at home. Sookhi Dal Recipe - Sukhi Urad Dal Ingredients: 1 cup of TRS Urid Dal 1 cup of water 2 tablespoon oil or ghee ½ teaspoon of cumin seeds A pinch of asafoetida hing 1 small onion, finely chopped 1 medium tomato, finely chopped 1 inch ginger, finely chopped or grated 4 cloves of garlic, minced 2-3 green chillies slit in half vertically ¼ teaspoon of turmeric powder ½ teaspoon of red chilli powder 1 teaspoon of coriander powder ½ teaspoon of garam masala 1-2 tablespoon of lemon juice or to taste Salt and pepper to taste A handful of finely chopped coriander leaves Procedure/s: (Instant Pot Method) Rinse the TRS Urid Dal with water. Rinse, drain, repeat until the water is clear. Soak the urad dal in water for about 10 minutes. In your instant pot, heat oil and add cumin seeds. Add the asafoetida, onions, green chillies, garlic, and ginger. Saute until the onions are cooked. Add the tomatoes then season with salt, pepper, chilli powder, garam masala, coriander powder, and turmeric powder. Stir well and cook for about two minutes. Strain the dal to remove the water. Add it to your instant pot. Stir well. Add water and cover the pot. Cook it for 8 minutes if you want it soft and mushy or 5 minutes for al dente. Open the lid and check if there’s no water left. Cover again to cook. Check every 1 to 2 minutes. Once the water is completely absorbed, add the lemon juice and coriander leaves. Mix well. Transfer to a serving plate. Serve and enjoy! Other urad dal recipes: Shahi Urad Dal Urad Dal/Split Black Gram Curry Dal Makhani Dhaba Style Urad Dal Split Urad Dal Risotto with Basil