Masala Chana Dal | Spiced Bengal Gram Lentils

Here is another spiced dal recipe I am going to share with you. Something spiced , easy and tasty chana dal is always hit in my family. And whenever I am thinking to do any chana dal recipe , my concern is it should be little different than what I made before. Variation is my resource. So here is not an exception. This time I made this chana dal little hot and spiced and  this came out just superb. This dal has some authenticity to serve with Chapati or partha or Roti. Some flavorful spices like garam masala,cumin,coriander and red chili are used here in different way. Flavor of coconut and coriander leaves are strong here. Give change to your taste bud, I am sure you will like it.

After google in wiki, I came to know that chana dal is produced by removing the outer layer of Kala Chana (black chickpeas) and then splitting the kernel.

Chana dal is a good source of Protein and calories. It serves good percentage of Iron too.

Masala Chana Dal | Spiced Bengal Gram Lentils

Recipe by Nabanita Das

Prep time: 4 hrs
Cook time: 20 mins
Serve : 4

Ingredients

• 2 Cups Chana Dal / Bengal Gram Lentils
• 1 medium Onion chopped
• 2 tsp Garlic paste
• 1 tsp Ginger paste
• 2 medium Tomato Grated/puree
• 1/2 Cup Coconut grated
• 1/2 tsp Cumin seeds
• 1 tsp Coriander seeds
• 3 Red chili
• 2 inch Cinnamon sticks
• 4-5 Green cardamom
• 4 Cloves
• 1 Black cardamom
• 1 tsp Black Pepper
• 1 tsp Lemon Juice
• Salt to taste
• 1/2 tsp Turmeric powder
• 1 tsp Red Chili powder
• 4 tbsp oil
• 2 Bay leaf
• 1 cup Coriander leaves fresh
• 1 pinch Asafoeatida

Cooking Directions

1. Soak chana dal over night .
2. Pressure cook it with little salt and turmeric powder.
3. Dry roast spices like,cinnamon sticks,green/black cardamoms,cloves,black pepper,coriander seeds,red chili and pound them into powder.
4. Heat oil in a pan.
5. Add bay leaf , cumin seeds and asafoeatida.
6. Add chopped onion, fry them until cleared.
7. Add ginger garlic paste to it and fry.
8. Add tomato puree and roasted spices ,turmeric powder,red chili powder and cook until oil comes out.
9. Add grated coconut and saute for a while .
10. Now add cooked dal and little warm water to it.
11. Adjust seasoning and let it bring to boil.
12. When boiling add lemon juice and switch off the gas.
13. Sprinkle coriander leaves and cover for five minutes.
14. Serve with roti or paratha.