Chana Dal is a big yellow lentils cooked in the rich blend of tomatoes and spices. It is one of the famous and leading recipes of Punjabi Cuisine. Chana Dal is extremely healthy and good for diabetic patients as well. This dal has low glycemic index, which ultimately helps diabetics and the people who are suffering from the problem of low sugar level for slow rate of digestion and absorption.

Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Chana dal
• 2 tsp ginger-garlic finely chopped
• 4 green chillies finely chopped
• 4 curry leaves chopped
• 1 dried red chilly
• 1 small onion finely chopped
• 4 tomatoes chopped
• 1/2 tsp cumin seeds (jeera)
• 1/2 tsp mustard seeds
• 1/2 tsp red chilli powder
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp butter
• 1/2 tsp vegetable oil
• 1/2 tsp garam masala powder
• Chaat Masala to sprinkle
• Black pepper powder to sprinkle
• Fresh chopped cilantro
• Salt to taste

How to make Chana Dal:

1. Wash the dal 2-3 times in running water and soak in 2 cups of water for 30 minutes.
2. Heat up a pressure cooker add dal along with its water. Add salt, red chilli powder and turmeric powder.
3. Add 1 more cup of water, cover the cooker and cook until 6 whistles.
4. Heat up a pan and melt the butter.
5. Add green chillies and ginger-garlic paste. Saute well.
6. Add chopped onion and tomatoes.
7. Adjust with the salt and cook for 4-5 minutes on low flame.
8. Add garam masala powder and cook until turn into nice thick puree.
9. Open the pressure cooker and keep dal on low flame.
10. Pour the mixture of onion and tomatoes into the dal and mix well.
11. Stir and keep on boil.
12. Adjust the water if required.
13. Heat up a sauce pan and add oil.
14. As oil heats add curry leaves, dry red chilli, cumin and mustard seeds.
15. Saute well and allow to crackle.
16. Pour the crackling mixture into the dal, add cilantro and wait for 2-3 boils.
17. Serve in individual bowl and sprinkle some chaat masala and black pepper powder.
18. Serve hot with Indian roti or jeera rice and accompanied by any fried vegetable.

Chef Tips:

1. You can use oil instead of butter, but butter gives rich taste to the dal.
2. Always add the seasoning of seeds at the last moment while keeping on boil, it gives unique taste to any dal.