Monday, March 9, 2015

Cholar Dal, Bengali Style Chana Dal ( Lentils )


          Though Bengali cuisine is more famous for non-vegetarian dishes, especially fish, there are still many vegetarian dishes that we can try, and I really liked the few dishes that I had a chance to taste at a restaurant here. Today's dish is one of them, Cholar Dal, it's chana dal cooked in Bengali style, this dal has a slight sweet taste from the raisins and sugar added, it's not very spicy and has a nice flavor from the ghee and coconut pieces and goes really well with luchis..

Need To Have

  • Chana Dal/Bengal Gram - 1/2 cup
  • Red Chilly Powder - 1 teaspoon
  • Coriander Cumin Powder - 1 teaspoon
  • Turmeric Powder - 1/4 teaspoon
  • Ginger - 1", grated
  • Sliced Coconut Pieces - 11/2 tablespoon
  • Golden Raisins - 1 tablespoon
  • Sugar - 1/2 teaspoon
  • Bay Leaf - 1 small
  • Clove - 1
  • Cardamom - 1
  • Dried Red Chilly - 1
  • Garam Masala - 1/2 teaspoon

Method


          Pressure cook the chana dal with some turmeric powder till done. Add the chilly powder, coriander-cumin powder, grated ginger, salt, sugar, mix and cook for 5 minutes.


          Meanwhile, heat some ghee, toast the raisins and coconut pieces separatley, remove and keep. Once the dal has cooked for 5 minutes, add the raisins and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes.


         Heat some more ghee, add the bay leaf, clove, cardamom, once it starts sizzling, add the garam masala , mix and add it to the dal and serve.


Note
The dal can be cooked in a regular pot too, soak it for 30 minutes or more to speedup the cooking.
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