I always thought that you should season as you go along. But the first time I made dal, my mum told me not to add salt as the lentils bubbled away. It’s well known in India that adding salt to lentils actually increases their cooking time.
How Salt Affects Digestion
I have lots of tips for improving digestion when you introduce legumes to your diet. However did you know that adding salt too early can affect digestion? It causes the outer lining of beans and lentils to harden, which makes them less tender and digestible. It’s best to cook dried legumes until they can be mashed easily with the back of a fork. Then season to taste.
How to Reduce Sodium Content
Most of us are consuming far too much salt so seasoning at the end or when food is served can also lower salt intake. I add lots of herbs, spices, vinegars and lemon to my food, eliminating the need for excess salt.
Adding acidic ingredients like lemon too early can affect the tenderness of the legumes. I always wait to add lemon when the lentils are slightly cooled and ready to serve, to preserve the vitamin C content in the lemon.
Do you eat legumes regularly? What is your favourite pulse or bean to eat?
