Aarhar, Aarhar beans, Mung beans, The Aarhar is available in many forms- whole, split, de husked ( yellow) and ground. Split Aarhar Beans (Vigna radiata) are green gram that have been split but not skinned. The splitting is done in a mill. They are small 1/4 inch, round, olive green bean. The inside of a Aarhar Bean is dark mustard coloured. Aarhar Beans have a sweet flavour, soft texture, and are easy to digest. The split bean is known as green Aarhar dal, as it is green with the husk not completely removed. Split Mung Beans are a traditional ingredient in Indian cooking, often used in curries. Like other legumes, split green grams are low in fat and high in protein and fibre, but they have the added advantage of cooking quickly. They have a mild, often earthy flavour, and they're best if cooked with assertive flavourings.
Culinary uses Aarhar Dal is cooked as any other dal is cooked. The dal is pressure cooked along with chopped onion, tomatoes, chillies and ginger garlic patse. Aarhar Dal don't hold their shape well, so they're often cooked into soups or purées.Aarhar dal khichdis and vadas are quite popular Aarhar dal can be used as stuffings.Whole mung beans are generally prepared from dried beans by boiling until they are soft.They are then cooked as any other dal is cooked.A sweet preparation called green gram payasam is prepared in Tamil Nadu with bananas and milk.Whole Aarhar dal can be soaked in water and the paste used to prepare moon dal dosa or uttappams.Whole Aarhar can be sprouted and used in varied preparations ranging from salads, soups and stir fry.Health BenefitsSplit green gram like other lentils and pulses are good source of protein and dietary fibre.They are low in fat and rich in B complex vitamins, calcium and potassium.Cooked dal of green gram is a very digestive food for invalid and sick persons. Its regular use during childhood, pregnancy and lactation helps one to get the required nutrition and promote health. It is a laxative, when given in large quantities. The soup made from it is the best article of diet after recovery from acute illness.It is free from the heaviness and tendency to flatulence, which is associated with other pulses.