Bengali Cholar Dal

Name: Bengali Cholar Dal
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: Indian
Ingredients: 1 cup Chana Dal (1 cup Chana dal (Bengal Gram Dal) soaked for an hour); ½ cup Desiccated Coconut (1/2 cup Dry coconut (kopra) cut into 1 inch pieces); 1 tsp Ground Turmeric (1 teaspoon Turmeric powder (Haldi)); 0 pieces Table Salt (Salt to taste); 2 tsp Mustard Oil (2 teaspoons Mustard oil); ½ tsp Cumin Seeds (1/2 teaspoon Cumin seeds (Jeera)); 2 pieces Green Chili (2 Green Chillies slit into halves lengthwise); 1 piece Ginger (1 inch Ginger peeled and grated); 3 pieces Dried Red Chili (3 Dry Red Chillies); 2 pieces Cloves (2 Cloves (Laung)); 1 piece Cinnamon Stick (1 inch Cinnamon Stick (Dalchini)); 1 piece Bay Leaves (1 Bay leaf (tej patta))

A classic Bengali lentil curry made with chana dal, tempered with spices and fried dry coconut.

40 minIndian

Servings4

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Vegetarian
Vegan
Gluten Free
Dairy Free
Pescatarian
Halal

Steps

1To begin making the Bengali Cholar dal, first prep all the ingredients and keep them ready. Soak the chana dal for about an hour in water.
2Add the soaked dal with 2-1/2 Cups of water, turmeric powder, salt to taste in a pressure cooker for 3 to 4 whistles.
3After 3 to 4 whistles, turn the heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes and turn off the heat. Allow the pressure to release naturally.
4In a teaspoon mustard oil over medium heat in a saucepan; add the dry coconut pieces and fry until they turn golden brown. Once done transfer the fried coconut pieces to a bowl and keep aside.
5In the same pan heat a teaspoon of mustard oil; add cumin seeds, dry red chilies, cloves, bay leaf, cinnamon stick, green chilies and ginger.
6Saute for a few seconds until the seeds crackle and the green chilli gets a lightly roasted texture.
7Once done, stir in the cooked Bengali Cholar dal and the roasted coconut slices.
8Stir well to combine and check the salt and adjust to suit your taste. Give the Bengali Cholar dal a brisk boil for a couple of minutes and turn off the heat.
9Transfer the Bengali Cholar dal to a serving bowl and serve hot.
10Serve the Bengali Cholar Dal with Begun Bhaja and steamed rice for a wholesome lunch or dinner.