Chana Dal Recipe- Bengal Gram Recipe

5 from 1 vote

Chana dal recipe is a delicious, healthy, protein rice Indian lentil curry with chana dal or split chickpeas or bengal gram. It is made in the same lines of dal fry where lentils are cooked until creamy with onions, tomatoes, spices & herbs. Vegan and gluten free!

Prep Time3 hrs 10 mins

Cook Time30 mins

Total Time3 hrs 40 mins

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: Indian

Keyword: chana dal

Servings:

Calories: 298kcal

Author: Harini

Ingredients

For cooking lentils

3/4 cup Chana dal
3 cups water

To make chana dal

2 tablespoons oil
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 bay leaf
1/2 inch cinnamon stick
1/2 cup onions finely chopped
1 cup tomatoes finely chopped
3 green chilies
2 teaspoons grated ginger garlic or paste
Salt to taste
1 teaspoon red chili powder
1 teaspoon garam masala powder
1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
1/2 teaspoon coriander powder

To temper

2 teaspoons oil or ghee
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
10-12 curry leaves
3 dried red chilies
1/2 teaspoon garam masala powder
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic

Instructions

Preparation

Pick and rinse 3/4 cup chana dal thoroughly. Soak chana dal it plenty of water for 3 hours. Drain excess water and take them in a bowl. Add 2.5 cups water and pinch of salt. Now to cook the chana dal you can use an instant pot or pressure cooker or in a pan.
While the lentils are getting cooked finely chop the onions, tomatoes. Peel and mince the ginger garlic. You can also use store bought ginger garlic paste if you prefer.

Making Chana Dal

Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a pan. Add 1 teaspoon cumin seeds, 1 bay leaf and 1/2 inch cinnamon stick. Saute for a minute.
Now add chopped onions and saute for a minute. Next add the minced ginger garlic or ginger garlic paste and 1 slit green chili. Saute well.
Next in goes chopped tomatoes. Saute for a minute. Now add the spice powders- 1 teaspoon red chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder, 1 teaspoon garam masala powder and 1/2 teaspoon coriander powder.
Mix everything well and let the masala cook well. The tomatoes should be completely cooked and it will take around 6-8 minutes in medium heat.
Once done add 1 cup water and salt to taste. Mix and simmer for 2-3 minutes. Then add the cooked lentils and mix. Simmer for 5 minutes.
While the lentils are simmering, heat 2 teaspoons oil in a small pan separately. Once the oil is hot add 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds, 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic, 1 dried red chilli and few curry leaves.
Pour this tadka to the simmering lentils and mix well. Add finely chopped coriander leaves and crushed kasuri methi. Mix well. Remove from flame and add lemon juice. Serve chana dal warm.

Nutrition