Bengali Cholar Dal Recipe

step 1

• STEP 1.Wash and soak 200 gms chana dal for at least 2 hours.

step 2

• STEP 1.In a pressure cooker add 200 gms soaked chana dal, 700 ml water, ½ tsp salt, 4 bay leaves. Pressure cook for 2 whistles till dal is soft yet whole and not mashed.

step 3

• STEP 1.In a pan heat 20 gm mustard oil and fry 20 gms coconut cut into small slices till golden. This will take about 1 minute. Remove the coconut from the oil and set aside.

step 4

• STEP 1.To the hot oil and 4 cardamom,2 dry red chillies, 3 cloves, 1 cinnamon stick, ½ tsp cumin seeds, ¼ tsp asafoetida and allow to splutter.

step 5

• STEP 1.Next add the ground paste. Fry on medium heat for 5 to6 minutes till the smell of raw spices is gone. Add 4 slit green chillies and fry till oil comes out from the spices.

step 6

• STEP 1.Add 20gms raisins and the boiled dal along with the water from the pressure cooker. Add 12 gms salt.

step 7

• STEP 1.Boil on medium heat for about 8 minutes till the dal thickens. Add 24 gms of sugar and stir well.

step 8

• STEP 1.Remove a green chillie from the dal. Mash it and add it back into the dal. Mix well. Add the fried coconut pieces.

step 9

• STEP 1.If serving with rice , keep the consistency of the dal thin. If serving with luchi/ porota/ kochori thicken further.