Mung/Dahl Lentils Italian-Style
The process is part of the cooking journey
Mung/Dahl is a lentil that is easily digestible, quick to cook and doesn’t need soaking like the other beans. Dahl can be made using different spices to create your own cultural experience. This Dahl recipe has an Italian-Mediterranean flare as I use oregano, rosemary, and basil in the recipe. I added. my version to the recipe to include veggies and herbs - if I’m going Italian why not experience Mediterranean all the way!
I usually lean towards turmeric and cumin in my Dahl/mung bean dishes but if I can’t travel to Italy this summer I’ll bring the taste of Italy into my cooking. I, also like to go lighter in the summer so I gravitate to simpler and cooling herbs and veggies.. One of the reasons I love cooking is because my imagination and palette gets inspired - a.k.a. food travel right in the comforts of your own home. Whichever spices you choose to use - they all cook the same way. Follow the instructions!
As an inspired WHOLEistic chef my focus is cooking foods that are grounding,. harmonizing, light and of course delicious. Eat to Live! Food is nourishment - no wander I’m craving salty at the beach - LISTEN to your body! We crave what our body is asking for even on an emotional level. Ever wonder why many gravitate to dark chocolate or sweets - this is a whole topic Itself - but if you’re craving sweets maybe it’s emotional love you need in your life. Mind, emotion, and body work in unison. It’s not so simple - yet, my dishes are! Maybe the ingredients are foreign but I hope I encourage you to fill your pantry with high quality ingredients - prepare to succeed!
Dahl is a lentil/legume that is eaten plenty in India. It’s considered the most digestible of all the beans and legumes. All body types can enjoy mung/dahl - as we say in Ayurveda: it’s tri-dosha (nourishing for all three body types). Pretty cool, and a no brainer! Ever felt gassy and bloat after a bean dish? No thank you! In Sanskrit we call mung and dahl a Sattvic food - Sattvic means light, balance and harmony - it’s the quality in the food that sweetens your life. You are what you eat and digest, right?! Sattvic food is fresh and full of life force - prana. And the cherry on top is the way you set your table, maybe playing soft background music and bedazzling the dining experience. So, when you cultivate sattva you find the joy in your dining experience because you’re present - or try to be after putting your heart into the experience - for yourself and/or with others. Your gift to yourself is your presence! Enjoy every delicious moment!
2 tsp olive oil or ghee (clarified butter)
1/2 tsp himalayan salt
1/2 cup onion diced - cooling for summer
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp paprika
1 cup dahl/mung beans
2 tsp lemon juice to drizzle on dish before you serve
pinch of freshly ground black pepper
1 cup seasonal veggies - carrot, basil are great choices chopped
2 cups water
1 tsp rosemary herb dried powder or 2 tsp fresh rosemary herb
garnish optional - parsley, basil, lemon juice and wedges for presentation and an extra lemon squeeze
-add oil to pot on medium heat - if you’re using a pressure cooker do the same
-add diced onion
-add salt, spices, and herbs and cook until aroma comes up - 2 minutes
-add Dahl and veggies your choice - I use carrots and basil for this recipe - and stir to coat, simmer 1-2 minutes
-add 2 cups water and cover - less water for thicker, more water for a thinner soupier dish
-cover and bring to boil and lower heat to simmer for 25 minutes - 15 minutes in pressure cooker - please check as you’re cooking - these lentils cook quickly
-garnish with lemon and black pepper with any herbs on top for a garnish
Genia’s Spoon Me Tips: Prepare your meals in a clean, peaceful kitchen - I love playing music while I cook - my mood and attitude effects my dishes and I have fun.
Beautify your table with candles or lighting to set an ambiance, add flowers to the table. Create your experience!
You can serve this dish with basmati rice and make yourself a complete, gorgeous, nutritious meal in a. bowl.
Sattvic love,
Genia