Ghee is clarified butter, the secret ingredient that gives Indian cooking its distinctive flavour. It is ideal for sauteing, braising, pan-frying and deep-frying. Often 1 tablespoon of ghee will work just as well as four tablespoons of any other cooking oil. It is an all-natural, salt-free, lactose-free alternative to hydrogenated cooking oils.
Pigeon peas are an important legume crop. The Indian subcontinent, eastern Africa and Central America, are the world's three main pigeon pea-producing regions. The dried peas may be sprouted briefly, then cooked, for a flavour different from the green or dried peas.