Whole Black Lentil Base

Whole Black Lentil (Urad Dal)  Base 

For use as bean balls with spaghetti or in wraps or for party snacks 

Brown Rice Spaghetti & Bean Base Balls

Cauliflower Grocchi, Bean Base Balls & Sauce

Crock Pot: A crook pot with and "unsecured" lid is recommended, crock pots with the lockdown snaps tend to have short life span if you cook this recipe in them, I have burnt out 2 in 15 months. Any standard crock pot that is recent with high and low and the lid sits on top and has a timer attached will work.

Urad Dal can be purchased "Organic"
it can also be purchased conventionally at Asian, Indian & Food Max, stores.

2 popular brads

4cups Urad Dal 3 1/2-quarts water
    or
5 cups Urad Dal 1-gallon water

Spices to add at the end of cooking to help thicken and retain flavor
added and stirred in, individually, in the following order

1/2- tsp Turmeric  "Simply Organic"
2 tsp- Curry Powder  "Simply Organic"
1 tsp- Cumin Powder  "Simply Organic"
1/2- tsp Black Pepper  "Simply Organic"
1 tsp- Garam Masala  "Simply Organic"

 "Simply Organic" is a brand we recommend; they are more expensive than thrift store brands.
It has been my experience that inexpensive spices thoroughly lack flavor, and their taste is distorted. That being stated it is worth the investment to acquire good spices. Sometimes I purchase Curry Powder Organic online bulk from "Foods For Life".

Time:
Hands on time less than an hour
Cook time 12 to 14 hours

Preparation:
Rinse and soak beans in the crock pot night one, about 24 hours. I like Thursday

Night 2: Turn crock pot on High set timer for 12 1/2 hours. I like Friday. Try to time it so when you get up it has been cooking for 8 to 12 hours. If you check it the Urad Dal should be swelled and there should be little to no water visible, There may be some bean foam on the top and it may appear a little burnt after about 10 to 12 hours, you can take off the lid and stir it down until it gets wet looking again.

Thickening and Spicing: 

 After 12 1/2 hours stir it and look at the thickness it should start to get to the consistency of bread dough, if it is not tilt the lid so that it is a little open to let the steam out and turn the crock pot to high for about another hour check it about every 15 minutes and stir. When the consistency is similar to bread dough, stand up after stirring and not sink, and there is little to no water present  Add the spices as directed above to thicken and  absorb some of the water. When the Urad Dal become slightly difficult to stir and look dry turn them off let them cool with the lid slightly open. When removing I mash with a large spoon and put them into saver dishes with lids. Can be stored in the refrigerator up to a week. In time you will get a feel for  how dry to cook them and how they will work later. 

Finished Black Lentil Bean base 

Notes: It is difficult to over cook the beans, I have left them and they looked burnt, I just stirred it in. One time I had to add a very small amount of water to loosen them and cook them dry again. 

Black Lentil Balls 

topped with Ground Kelp, Powered Garlic, Oregano, 
(optional) Thai Pepper or Cayenne Pepper, 
Microwaved after seasoning, they and the crackers are for the dip.

Note: The crook pot will be easier to clean if you fill it with water and cook it high 5 hours afterwards let it soak over night.

Namaste

Añjali Mudrā

Maharishi Déjà Vu

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