Daal Chana

Daal Chana

Daal Chana

Veg Vegan

A simple yet satisfying dish of split chickpeas cooked with aromatic spices and herbs.

Cuisines

Himachali

Best for

Lunch Dinner

Recipe

Prep: 20 min Cook: 40 min Total: 60 min 2-3 servings

Ingredients

1 cup chana dal (split Bengal gram)
3 cups water
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 medium tomatoes, finely chopped
1 inch ginger, grated
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons ghee
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 teaspoon turmeric powder
1 teaspoon red chili powder
1 teaspoon coriander powder
1 teaspoon garam masala
salt to taste
2 tablespoons fresh coriander leaves, chopped

Instructions

  1. 1 Rinse the chana dal thoroughly under running water and soak it in 3 cups of water for at least 30 minutes.
  2. 2 Drain the soaked dal and transfer it to a pressure cooker. Add 3 cups of fresh water and a pinch of salt.
  3. 3 Pressure cook the dal for 3-4 whistles or until it becomes soft but not mushy. Set aside.
  4. 4 In a pan, heat ghee over medium heat. Add cumin seeds and let them splutter.
  5. 5 Add the chopped onions and sauté until they turn golden brown.
  6. 6 Stir in the grated ginger and minced garlic, and sauté for another minute until fragrant.
  7. 7 Add the chopped tomatoes and cook until they become soft and the oil starts to separate.
  8. 8 Mix in turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder, and salt. Cook for 2 minutes.
  9. 9 Add the cooked chana dal to the pan and mix well. Adjust the consistency by adding water if needed.
  10. 10 Let the dal simmer for 5-7 minutes on low heat. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  11. 11 Sprinkle garam masala and mix well.
  12. 12 Garnish with fresh coriander leaves before serving.

Tips

For a richer taste, add a dollop of butter on top before serving.