Cholar Dal (Bengal Gram Dal) - South Asian Recipe

Cholar Dal (Bengal Gram Dal)

🌍 South Asian, Bengal Difficulty: ●●●○○

Cholar dal is the traditional accompaniment to Bengali festive occasions and puja celebrations.

Ingredients

• 250 g chana dal (Bengal gram), soaked 2 hours
• 4 tbsp ghee
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 2 bay leaves
• 3 dried red chilies
• 1 in cinnamon
• 3 cardamom pods
• 4 cloves
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1 tsp ginger paste
• ½ tsp turmeric
• 1 tsp sugar
• 2 tbsp grated coconut
• Salt to taste

Method

1. Boiling — Boil dal until just tender but still holding shape, about 30 min. Drain.
2. Heating — Heat ghee; add cumin, bay leaves, red chilies, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves. Sizzle.
3. Adding — Add onion, cook until golden. Add ginger paste, turmeric.
4. Adding — Add cooked dal, sugar, coconut, and salt. Stir gently to combine.
5. Simmering — Simmer 10 min. Serve with luchi (puffed fried bread) or rice.

Tags: chana dal, ghee, cumin seeds, bay leaves, red chilies · Source: Brittani's Almanac