Horse Gram ( Macrotyloma uniflorum )

Horse Gram, 1 Kg  ( Macrotyloma uniflorum  )

Horse Gram (A Super Food): Amazing Benefits

Horse gram is the most protein-rich lentil found on the planet. It is very high-powered. That is why race horses are fed with this gram, which is called horse gram in the market.

In Ayurveda, horse gram is a well-known diuretic and is reputed to be effective in increasing urine flow. For this purpose, horse gram can soup can be consumed twice a day for four weeks to show visible results.

Horse gram is high in iron, calcium, and protein. In fact, horse gram has the highest calcium content among pulses and is one of the richest vegetarian sources of protein.

Benefits of Horse Gram

1. Horse gram has the highest protein content of all the lentils.
2. It also contains high amounts of carbohydrates, iron and calcium. So, it is a great energy-booster.
3. It aids in weight loss, as the seeds help in burning fatty tissues in the body.
4. It is used as a traditional medicine in the treatment of urinary diseases, cold, throat infection, bronchitis, asthma, and jaundice among other ailments.
5. With its antioxidants, horse gram can help in preventing the hardening of salts in the body. This helps prevent kidney disorders such as kidney stones.
6. It aids in digestion.
7. It is good for diabetics as it controls the amount of sugar that is released in the bloodstream.
   

   Horse gram recipes

   How do you consume horse gram? Here are some recipes for you to enable you to add some variety and nutrition to your daily spread.

   1. Horse gram sprouts
   2. Horse gram dal
   3. Horse gram khichdi

   4. Horse Gram Soup

   1. Horse gram sprouts

   Ingredients:

   • 1 cup sprouted horse gram
   • ¼ tsp turmeric powder
   • 1 tbsp. coconut oil
   • 1 tsp mustard seeds
   • ¼ tsp cumin seeds
   • 1 dry red chili broken
   • 1 spring curry leaves
   • ¼ cup onion finely chopped
   • 1 small tomato finely chopped
   • Salt to taste
   • ½  tsp cumin powder
   • ¼ tsp garam masala
   • A pinch of chili powder
   • 1 tsp lemon juice

   How to prepare:

   1. Cook horse gram with water and salt until it is soft; strain and keep it ready.
   2. Heat oil in a pan, crackle mustard seeds and cumin seeds.
   3. Add red chilies and curry leaves; fry until crisp.
   4. Add onions and fry until brown.
   5. Drop in tomatoes and fry until slightly mushy.
   6. Put in the cooked sprouts, salt, cumin powder, chili powder and garam masala.
   7. Mix until well-combined.
   8. Fry until the raw smell leaves the mixture.
   9. Serve warm.
   10. Sprinkle lemon juice (optional)

   This can be part of your breakfast! Benefits of horse gram sprouts are numerous. One can drink horse gram water in empty stomach.

   A sumptuous and filling way to start your day!

   2. Horse gram dal

   Ingredients:

   • ½ cup horse gram
   • 1 tbsp. turmeric powder
   • Salt to taste
   • 1 tbsp. ghee
   • ½  tsp mustard seeds
   • ½  tsp cumin seeds
   • ¼  tsp asafoetida
   • 1 tbsp. ginger garlic paste
   • 1 chopped onion
   • 1 chopped tomato
   • 1 tsp red chili powder
   • 1 tsp coriander powder
   • coriander leaves for garnish

   How to prepare:

   1. Soak the horse gram in 1 cup of water overnight.
   2. Boil the soaked horse gram dal in a pressure cooker with 3 cups of water; add salt to taste and turmeric powder to it.
   3. Turn off the cooker after about 6 whistles.
   4. Heat ghee in a pan on medium flame. Add mustard seeds and cumin seeds; let them crackle.
   5. Add asafoetida; cook for a few seconds.
   6. Add the ginger garlic paste; sauté it on a medium flame for a minute or two, till the raw aroma leaves it.
   7. Add the chopped onion, sauté till they are translucent.
   8. Add tomatoes, red chilli powder, salt and coriander powder. Cover the mixture and let it cook for 2-3 minutes.
   9. Now, add the mashed horse gram into the pan. Cover it, and let it simmer for about 3-4 minutes.
   10. Turn the flame off.
   11. Garnish with finely-chopped coriander leaves.

   This may be served along with rotis/parathas (Indian bread).

   This is a great addition to your midday meal. You will feel nourished and satiated at the end of this food combination!

   3. Horse gram khichdi (Rice and lentil mix) or kulith ki khichdi

   Ingredients:

   • 1 cup horse gram
   • 1 cup rice
   • 5-6 cups water
   • Salt to taste
   • lemon-sized ginger sliced
   • 1 tsp chili powder
   • 1 tbsp. ghee
   • 1 onion finely chopped
   • 1 tsp oil
   • Coriander leaves for garnish

   How to prepare:

   1. Keep horse gram in water overnight. Water will be absorbed in the pulse.
   2. Soak plain rice in 2-3 cups of water for about 2 hours. Keep aside.
   3. Transfer the soaked horse gram in a pressure cooker with 3 cups of water, salt, turmeric powder and sliced ginger. Boil in a low flame for about 30 minutes.
   4. When the horse gram is well-cooked and in mash-consistency, add the soaked rice in it.
   5. Lightly fry the onion in oil till it becomes translucent, and add it to the mixture.
   6. Add ghee.
   7. Cook for another 5-6 whistles in the cooker.
   8. Add coriander leaves as garnish.

   Your khichdi is ready to eat!

   Horse Gram Soup

   Ingredients

    

   • Horse gram: 1/2 cup
   • Tamarind paste: 2-3 tsp
   • Peppercorn: 1 Tbsp
   • Cumin seeds: 1 Tbsp
   • Mustard seed: 1/2 Tbsp
   • Curry leaves: 1 sprig
   • Coriander leaves: 1 or 2 sprigs
   • Salt to taste
   • Oil: 2 tsp

   Preparation

   • Soak the horse gram seeds overnight and pressure cook till soft.
   • Drain the water and keep it aside for later use. (The water’s color will be chocolatey)
   • Dry roast the mustard seeds, cumin seeds and peppercorn  and grind to a fine powder.
   • Mash half of the cooked horse gram.
   • Heat the oil in a pan and shallow fry the curry leaves.
   • Add the tamarind paste, strained horse gram water, roasted powder, smashed horse gram and salt.
   • Add sufficient water and make sure the gravy is not too thick.
   • Add the remaining horse gram and mix.
   • Remove from flame.
   • Sprinkle finely chopped coriander leaves over the gravy.
   • Serve with steamed rice and enjoy!

    

   What a wonderfully wholesome way to end your day – a compact addition to your culinary skills!

   A query that is often asked where horse gram is concerned, “Is horse gram a food or a medicine?” The best answer to this is, “Ayurveda believes that food is the only medicine your body should need!”

   Spur your buds and energize your body with this deliciously nutritious protein!