Bengali Cholar/Chana Dal/Split Chickpea Lentil

Cholar Dal is a traditional Bengali Dal that is simple and satisfying. It's a popular combination with Bengali Soft Lucchi but tastes delicious with white rice or pulao.

Important Ingredients for Making Cholar Dal-

We need Chana Dal / Split Chickpeas, coconut, ghee, turmeric, cumin seeds, ginger, dry red chilies, and a few other spices.

Important Points to Remember While Preparing the Cholar Dal-

1. Soak Chana Dal/ Split Chickpeas Lentil for 30 minutes if you use an Instant Pot. Mine comes perfectly in 30 minutes. You must soak it for 1 hour in sufficient water if you are using a pressure cooker and feel your dal is tough.

2. Don't forget to use a little bit of sugar. It will enhance the taste.

3. Using any oil is fine, but I prefer desi ghee. That gives a beautiful aroma and smoky flavor.

New Recipes

Smita

Bengali Cholar Dal/Chana Dal/ Split Chickpeas Lentil

A traditional Bengali Dal using Chana Dal and a few spices .

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Indian Cuisine.

Ingredients Method

Ingredients

  

• 1 Cup Chana Dal/Split Chickpeas
• 3 Cup Water
• 1 Tsp Turmeric Powder
• Salt according to the taste.
• 2 Tbsp Ghee/Clarified Butter
• 1 Tbsp Raisin
• 1 ½ Inch Cinnamon
• 2 Bay Leaves
• 4 Cloves
• 2 Green Cardamom
• 1 Black Cardamom
• 1 Tsp Cumin Seeds
• 2 Dried Red Chilies
• Pinch of asafoetida(optional)
• ½ Tsp Coriander Powder
• 1 Tsp Cumin Powder
• 1 Tbsp Ginger Paste
• 3 Green Chilies/Make a slit.
• ½ Tsp Garam Masala Powder(preferably bengali)
• 1.5 Tsp Sugar(optional)though it makes lot of difference .
• ¼ Cup Thin Coconut slices.

Method

 

1. Rinse Chana dal /Bengal gram dal, and soak it in water for 30 minutes(if using instant pot)Soak in sufficient water for 1 hour if using pressure cooker and feel your dal is quite hard.
2. Boil this Chana Dal in instant pot with 1 bay leaf ,turmeric powder ,little bit of salt ,and 3 cups of water for 2 minutes on high pressure .Release the pressure naturally.
3. Chana Dal should be soft but not mushy after boiling. Your time can vary a little.
4. Take a bowl .Mix cumin Powder ,coriander powder, turmeric powder, and ginger paste with 2 tbsp of water .Mix it well.
5. Take a pan /Wok.
6. Add ghee to it .Heat it .
7. Once hot fry coconut slices till they look golden .Remove it in a plate after frying.
8. Now add cumin seeds ,Asafoetida ,dry red chili ,cinnamon ,cardamom ,and cloves to it .Let it crackle.
9. Add spice water mix/slurry which we have prepared to the pan.
10. Saute on medium flame for 5 minute till the raw smell is gone and it releases oil.
11. Now add the boiled dal ,raisins ,fried coconut slices and green chilies to it .
12. Add salt to it (according to your taste).
13. Boil the dal on medium /low heat for 5-6 minutes till it thickens .This dal is little thick in consistency.
14. Add garam masala and sugar .Mix it .
15. Let it cook for another 1 minute and remove it from the stove.
16. Your Bengali Cholar Dal is ready .Pour 1 tbsp of ghee on top of it for more taste(Optional) .Serve this with Luchi ,pulao or plain rice.

Related posts:

Chana Masala/Chickpea Curry Instant Pot Chana Dal Dal Palak (Spinach Dal) Chana Madra/Chickpeas in Yogurt Gravy