Cholar Dal / Chana Dal

Cholar Dal, the yellow colored Bengal Gram Lentil, combined with Kachori, a perfect meal for any Bengali. This is a traditional recipe, this Dal is cooked with coconuts and is sweet in taste. This is like a must have during Festivals, I still remember having this every year on Kali Puja(Diwali) at home.

  
Ingredients: Cholar Dal/Chana Dal

• 1 cup Cholar Dal (Bengal Gram)
• 1 tbsp Ginger Paste
• 1 Dried Red Chilli
• 2 tbsp Chopped Coconut Pieces
• 1/2 tsp Cumin Seeds (Jeera)
• 1/2 tsp Turmeric Powder (Haldi)
• 1/2 tsp Garam Masala Powder
• Ghee (Clarified Butter)

 

Soak the Lentil for about 1 hour and boil it in a pan or use a pressure cooker. For the tempering, heat oil in a pan, add the Coconut pieces, fry them.

Once the Coconut pieces start browning, take them out and keep it aside. Heat oil in the pan, add the Cumin Seeds, Bay Leaf and the Dried Red Chilli. Then add the Ginger paste, Haldi and saute them on low heat. Next add the cooked dal, fried Coconut Pieces, about 1/2 cup of water, cover and let it cook. The consistency of the dal should be thick. Once done, serve this with Kachori/Luchi.