Bengali Cholar Dal Recipe

Bengali Cholar Dal Recipe: Bengali Cholar Dal is a popular vegetarian dish from the eastern region of India, particularly in Bengal. It is made from split chickpeas, also known as chana dal, that is cooked with spices such as ginger, cumin, turmeric, and cinnamon.

The dish is also typically flavored with coconut and mustard oil, which give it a unique taste. Cholar Dal is often served with steamed rice or Indian flatbreads like puri or paratha. It is a nutritious and protein-rich dish that is also easy to make, making it a favorite in many households in the region.

Bengali Cholar Dal Recipe

here’s a recipe for Bengali Cholar Dal, a popular lentil dish in Bengali cuisine, with bullet points for easy reading:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Chana Dal (Bengal gram lentils)
• 1 bay leaf
• 2-3 dry red chilies
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 tsp mustard seeds
• 1 tsp ginger paste
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp red chili powder
• Salt to taste
• 2 tbsp oil
• 2 tbsp ghee (clarified butter)
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tbsp garam masala
• 2 tbsp chopped coriander leaves

Instructions:

• Soak the chana dal in water for at least an hour.
• Drain the water and rinse the dal well.
• Heat oil in a pressure cooker, and add the bay leaf, dry red chilies, cumin seeds, and mustard seeds.
• Once the seeds start spluttering, add the ginger paste and sauté for a few seconds.
• Add the soaked chana dal, turmeric powder, red chili powder, and salt to taste.
• Sauté for a few minutes until the dal is well coated with the spices.
• Add 2 cups of water and pressure cook for 2-3 whistles or until the dal is cooked.
• Once the pressure is released, open the cooker and add ghee, sugar, garam masala, and chopped coriander leaves.
• Give it a good mix and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes.
• Check for seasoning and adjust as required.
• Serve hot with steamed rice, roti, or paratha.

Additional Tips:

• You can also add a finely chopped onion and tomato while sautéing the spices for added flavor.
• For a creamier texture, you can also add coconut milk while simmering the dal.
• You can also garnish the dal with fried onions for added crunch and flavor.
• If you don’t have a pressure cooker, you can also cook the dal in a regular pot. In that case, you may need to cook it for a longer time until the dal is tender.
• Cholar dal tastes best when it is slightly sweet, so make sure to add the sugar as per your taste.