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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
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
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.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!