Cholar Dal is an extremely popular Lentil Curry which is served with many a Bengali Meal. It is a very simple lightly spiced lentil curry made using split bengal gram. In Bengal Cholar Dal is served along with Luchi / Puffed Deep Fried small round breads or other popular Bengali Breads like KOCHURI / RADHABALLABHI for breakfast or at the start of a meal during lunch. Cholar Dal is also served with steamed white rice along with JHURI ALOO BHAJA (very finely grated deep fried crisp potatoes) or other BHAJAS (deep fried fritters or deep fried fish etc.). It is quick, delicious and filling. You can simply have it with any breads with a salad on the side for a hearty quick fix meal any time of the day.
Cholar dal is also a festive dish which you will most likely find on the menu during DURGA PUJO , NOBO BORSHO (BENGALI NEW YEAR), Bengali wedding, Annaprashan (first rice eating ceremony), birthday parties etc. The aromatic BHAJA MOSHLA sprinkled on top right at the end is enough to draw one to the dinning table.
CHOLAR DAL/CHANA DAL/SPLIT SKINNED BENGAL GRAM LENTIL CURRY RECIPE :
AUTHOR : PIYALI
SERVES : 4
CUISINE : INDIAN / BENGALI
TYPE : SIDE DISH / LENTIL CURRY
TIME : 10 MINUTES PREPARATION + 30 MINUTES COOKING TIME
INGREDIENTS :
1) 1 Cup (250 gms approx) Cholar Dal/chana dal/split skinned bengal gram
2) 1 green Chilli
3) 2 Tbsp clarified butter/ghee or oil for tempering
4) 1 Medium Sized potato chopped into small cubes
5) 1 Tsp cumin seeds
6) 2 Dry red Chillies
7) 2 small Bay leaves
8) 2 Tbsp Fresh grated Coconut or frozen grated coconut
9) 1/4 Tsp Turmeric Powder
10) 1Tsp garam masala powder
11) 1 Tsp Bhaja Moshla (alternately use Roasted Cumin Powder)
12) Salt to taste
13) 2 Tsp of ghee/ clarified butter to sprinkle on top of the Dal /lentil Curry
PROCEDURE FOR MAKING CHOLAR DAL/CHANA DAL :
1) Wash split bengal gram/chana dal thoroughly in water. Drain the water and cook the lentil/dal covered with water till it's completely cooked. Add 1 green chilli and 1/4 Tsp of salt while cooking the dal. Once cook keep aside ready to use.
2) Take clarified butter/ghee in a pan. Shallow fry the potato pieces till they get a golden colour on them. Remove the potatoes from the pan. In the same oil add bay leaves, dry red chillies, whole cumin seeds and wait till the cumin seeds crackle.
3) Add grated coconut , turmeric powder and sauté for a minute.
4) Add the cooked lentils along with the water into this pan. Bring to a boil and then simmer.
5) Add Garam masala, the fried potatoes and check for seasoning. Add salt as per requirement. Keep on high flame for a couple of minutes till the Dal thickens a bit.
Transfer to the serving bowl. Sprinkle the BHAJA MOSHLA (or roasted cumin powder) on the top and also clarified butter. Serve hot with KOCHURI .
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Do try this dish out and KEEP UP THE ADVENTURE IN YOUR KITCHEN !!!
Do try this dish out and KEEP UP THE ADVENTURE IN YOUR KITCHEN !!!
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