By Krati Purwar
June 23, 2025
Bengali chana dal is the definition of comfort food when served with rice. It is spicy, sweet, and tangy, and boasts nutty notes. Once you make this dal, you won’t like to prepare anything else for lunch for an entire week. Try this easy recipe.
For Tempering ½ tsp cumin seeds 1 medium bay leaf A pinch of asafoetida 2-3 dried red chillies 2 tbsp ghee, chopped coconut 1 tsp grated ginger For Spice Powder 2 green cardamom 3 cloves 1-inch cinnamon
For Dal 2.5 cups water 1 cup chana dal 1 tbsp cashews ½ tsp turmeric powder 2 tsp sugar Salt to taste ¼ tsp red chilli powder ½ tsp cumin powder 1 tbsp raisins
Pound whole spices to prepare the blend that infuses this dish with earthy and fresh notes.
Rinse dal and soak it for at least 30 minutes. Cook it in a pressure cooker with turmeric powder for 5 whistles.
Add cashews, raisins, and salt to the lentil stew and let it simmer on a low flame.
In another pan, prepare the tempering and pour it over dal. Let it thicken.
Add ghee and coconut at the end and serve it with rice.