What Are Madras Lentils?
Madras lentils are a type of Indian lentil that is grown in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. They have a mild flavor and can be used as an alternative to other lentils such as brown or green ones.
This dish is mainly served during special occasions like weddings and festivals. It is also prevalent among vegetarians and vegans because it contains no meat. The recipe for this dish is simple but requires some time to prepare.
What’s In Madras Lentils?
Madras lentils are made of red kidney beans, a staple food in South Asia. These lentils are usually cooked with spices and eaten with flatbreads.
The main difference between Madras and regular lentils is that they do not require soaking before cooking. This makes them perfect for people who want to make vegetarian dishes without soaking their legumes first.
They are often found in Indian grocery stores and supermarkets. Madras brown lentils are savory and mildly flavored. They are commonly used in curries and stews.
A piece of madras lentils contains around 10 grams of protein.
Are Madras Lentils Healthy?
Yes! Madras lentils are indeed healthy. They are rich in fiber, iron, folate, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, copper, vitamin B6, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin, vitamin C, calcium, phosphorous, selenium.
The appeal of Madras lentils is that is healthier than regular lentils because it contains less starch and more protein.
How To Make Madras Lentils
To make Madras lentils, you will need the following:
Ingredients:
- 2-4 2 cups Cooked lentils or Madras lentils (or any other type of lentils)
- Two medium-sized tomatoes
- 3-4 cloves garlic
- One tablespoon of yellow onion
- 1/2 inch ginger
- One teaspoon of turmeric powder
- One teaspoon of cumin seeds
- One tablespoon oil
- Salt to taste
Method:
- Wash the canned lentils thoroughly under running water until they become dirt-free. Drain them well.
- Heat the oil in a pan over high heat. Add the cumin seeds, followed by the chopped garlic and ginger. Fry these ingredients for about 30 seconds.
- Add the washed and drained lentils along with salt. Stir fry the mixture for 3 minutes.
- Add the chopped tomato or tomato sauce and stir fry for another 2 minutes.
- Cover the lid and cook on low heat for 20 minutes.
- Serve hot with rice or roti.
- Enjoy!
What Goes With Madras Lentils?
There are many options regarding what goes with Madras lentils and a combination of lentils. Here are just a few ideas:
Rice
Indian dish is mainly based on rice, so, naturally, most recipes call for it. Rice is great because it absorbs all the flavors of whatever you put on top of it.
Vegetables
You should try adding veggies to your diet if you prefer vegetables instead of rice. Carrots, peas, potatoes, cauliflower, spinach, broccoli, etc., are all excellent choices.
Spices
If you like spicy food, you should include some spice in your meal. Add chili flakes, curry leaves, garam masala, coriander leaves, mint leaves, fenugreek leaves, asafetida, black pepper, cardamom pods, cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, bay leaf, clove, star anise, saffron, and rose petals.
Pita bread
Another option is to serve your dal with pita bread. It’s delicious and filling at the same time. Some people use this method to save money since they don’t have to buy extra dishes.
Chicken breast
Add chicken breast to make a healthier and meatier meal with dry madras lentils. Just cut up the chicken into bite-size pieces before cooking.
Bakes Kidney Beans
Baked beans always make a great pair to any dish. Suppose you want to make baked beaply mix 1/2 cup of cooked Madras black lentils with 1/2 cup of canned baked kidney beans. This makes a perfect side dish.
Curry
A simple way to make your dal even more flavorful is to add curry. Curry is usually made with coconut milk and spices such as turmeric, cayenne pepper, chili powder, paprika, coriander, and mustard seed. One of the best recipes is ribs lentil curry, as the texture of madras lentils complements this dish.
Desserts
For dessert, you can either serve ice cream or pudding. Both are delicious and healthy alternatives to traditional desserts.
Cauliflower & Potato Curry
This curry dish is one of the most popular and health-infused Indian meals. The combination of potato and cauliflower is fantastic. You can find many different variations of this recipe online.
Green Pea Soup
Green pea soup is a warm and comforting soup that has been around for ages. It’s easy to make and very nutritious. There are many ways to prepare green pea soup, but adding Madras lentils will give it a unique flavor.
Mango Lassi
Lassis are refreshing beverages that are often served during summertime. They are traditionally made with yogurt, mangoes, and sugar. To make lassi with Madras buttery lentils, blend 1/4 cup of cooked Madras with 1/4 cup of plain Greek yogurt.
Are Madras Lentils Vegan?
Yes, Madras lentils are vegan. They contain no animal products whatsoever. However, if you do not consume dairy products, you may need to check out other fastest-cooking lentils.
The best thing about madras lentil is that it is not only healthy, but it is so good to eat. So, why not give them a try?
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Madras Lentils Recipe
Instructions
You can cook Madras firmer lentils using two methods:
Cooking Method #1: Boil
The first method involves boiling the French lentils. Boil the soft lentils in salted water for 15-20 minutes. Once done, drain them and set them aside. This method makes the softest lentils and is best served with cherry tomato halves.
Cooking Method #2: Pressure Cooker
The second method involves pressure cooking the lentil stew. To do this, place the note lentils in a pressure cooker. Pour enough water into the pot to cover the lentils by about 1 inch. Bring the water to aescapesuce the heat to medium. Cover the pot and let the pressure build up until the steam starts escaping from the lid. Then turn off the heat and wait for 5 minutes. Afterward, open the cover and check if the Punjabi lentil is tender. If not, close the lid again and let the pressure release naturally for another 3-5 minutes. Drain the lentils and enjoy!