Legumes play an important role in the highly evolved vegetarian cuisine of India, as well as in Ayurvedic cuisine, since they are an easily digestible form of high protein. Yellow Moong (Mung) Dal (Indian Lentil) is one of the easiest to cook and digest of the lentil and bean family. It is very popular in India where it is used both for formal entertaining as well as everyday cooking.

Split mung dal, or lentils without skin, are commonly known as dhuli moong. A native of India, these are tiny cylindrical seeds, which are hulled and split. Whole yellow lentils are split to obtain moong dal. The whole mung beans and split ones are quite different and seldom interchangeable.

Lentils are used to make soups, stews, and salads and in India, they are made into spicy dals. In Ayurveda, yellow mung dal is considered one of the most digestible, highly nourishing forms of protein, and is recommended for children, elderly people and convalescents. Mung Dal soup is the comfort food of India. Make into a stew by cooking this dal with tomatoes and vegetables.

Yellow mung dal is used to make kitchari, a very nourishing porridge eaten during panchakarma and to help the body get rid of toxins. Kitchari is the best fasting food used in Ayurveda. It is 1 part rice and 1 part skinned moong dal cooked with turmeric, salt and ginger. It is seasoned with cumin and other spices fried in ghee. Vegetables can be added to it as well.

In Thailand this lentil is cooked until soft, then mashed, mixed with white sugar and rich coconut cream. The resulting pliable paste is formed into the most exquisite tiny fruits called luk chup which means small magic.

In China this lentil is cooked to a paste and sweetened to make a filling for some popular sweets: steamed buns and jin doi, the deep-fried, sesame covered doughnuts. In Vietnam, this paste is added to sweet drinks and soft and chewy rice flour cakes.

In southern India, this type of lentil is ground into a bath powder, mixed with sandalwood powder and used instead of soap.

4 lbs. bag. We purchase our dal in bulk, so it may arrive in a clear plastic bag or the Laxmi brand bag.