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Chana Dal Tadka or Chana Dal Fry is a North Indian recipe prepared from Chana Dal (Bengal Gram) along with Tomato, Onion and Spices. It is also famous in Punjab and parts of East India. Bengal Gram is the English name of Chana Dal. This Bengal Gram is made from Black Chickpeas which we also refer as Kala Chana. Black Chickpeas are split into two halves and the outer layer is removed to make Chana Dal. Another use of Chana Dal is to prepare besan. It is prepared by grinding it.

There are number of benefits of having Chana Dal in our meal. It is healthy and nutrient rich which has high source of protein. Chana Dal also reduces bad cholesterol due to presence of high fibre in it. It has low glycemic index which is helpful for diabetic patients. It is also helpful in reducing blood pressure and helps in keeping our heart healthy. Consuming soaked Black Chickpeas (Kala Chana) in the morning is very beneficial for our health.

To cook Chana Dal Tadka, soak Chana Dal in Water for at least 30 minutes before boiling it. It helps in preparing Chana Dal Tadka faster and in less time. You can prepare this Tadka without soaking the Chana, but it will take more time to cook. Cooking the Chana Dal in pressure cooker fastens the process of cooking.

To prepare Chana Dal Tadka, first wash the Chana Dal with water and then soak it for at least 30 minutes. Then take the dal in a pressure cooker and cook for 4-5 whistles so that it becomes slightly soft. Softness of dal helps in cooking the tadka faster. Allow the pressure of the cooker to come down on its own. When the pressure completely releases, open the lid of the cooker and slightly mash the dal. Keep the dal aside.

Now heat Oil in a kadai or pan over medium heat. Add Cumin Seeds, Mustard Seeds and Dry Red Chilli. Allow it to splutter. Then add Asafoetida (Hing), Chopped Green Chillies and Chopped Onion. Saute till the onions becomes translucent and slightly brown in colour. Add Ginger Garlic paste and saute for few seconds till the raw smell goes off. Now add Chopped Tomatoes and Salt. Cook till the tomatoes become soft and mushy.

When the tomatoes become soft, add all the spices and cook them properly. If required you can add small amount of water while frying the spices. Now add the cooked Chana Dal and mix it. Also add Water as per your requirement of the consistency of the dal. Cook the dal by frequently stirring it till it attains the required thick consistency. Next add Lemon Juice and Aamchur Powder and stir it. Cook for another few minutes.

When the dal thickens, switch off the stove. Add Chopped Coriander Leaves and mix it. Chana Dal Tadka is ready to serve. Take it out in a serving bowl and serve it by garnishing with Coriander Leaves. Also squeeze small amount of Lemon Juice over it. Chana Dal is best served with Steamed Rice or Jeera Rice along with any kind of Raita Recipes. You can also serve it with Roti, Paranthas or Naan. Try other Dal Recipes such as Dal Makhani and Green Moong Dal Curry.

Please try our other Curry Recipes & Masala Recipes,

Aloo Gobi Masala

Punjabi Kadhi Pakoda

Rajma Masala

Bharwa Bhindi

Aloo Soyabean Curry

Let’s start preparing Chana Dal Tadka,

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Chana Dal Tadka/Chana Dal Fry/Chana Dal Recipe

Chana Dal Tadka is a delicious and spicy North Indian cuisine prepared from Chana Dal (Bengal Gram) along with Onion, Tomato and Spices. It is soft, spicy and thick in consistency. It is healthy and beneficial to our body.

Course Main Course

Cuisine Indian, Punjabi

Keyword Chana Dal Fry, Chana Dal Tadka

Preparation Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Soaking Time 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 1 hour hour

Servings 4 servings

Calories

Author Recipe by Chits

Equipments:

• Pan or Kadai
• Pressure Cooker

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Chana Dal (Split Bengal Grams)
• 4 tablespoon Oil
• 1/2 teaspoon Cumin Seeds
• 1/4 teaspoon Mustard Seeds
• 2 piece Dried Red Chilli
• A pinch Asafoetida
• 2 piece Chopped Green Chilli
• 1 medium Chopped Onion
• 1 tablespoon Ginger Garlic Paste
• 1 medium Chopped Tomato
• 2 teaspoon Kashmiri Red Chilli
• 1/2 teaspoon Turmeric Powder
• 2 teaspoon Coriander Powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Garam Masala
• 4 tablespoon Chopped Coriander Leaves
• Lemon Juice or Aamchur Powder as required (Optional)
• Salt to taste
• Water as required

Instructions:

Cooking of Chana Dal (Bengal Gram):

• Take the Chana Dal and wash it in running water. Rinse it for 2-3 times until it is properly and neatly washed.
• Soak the Dal in Water for at least half an hour or more. After half an hour, discard the water.
• Take the soaked Dal in a pressure cooker. Add required amount of Water.
• Close the lid of the cooker and cook for 4-5 whistles over medium heat.
• After 4-5 whistles, switch off the stove and allow the pressure of the cooker to release on its own.
• When the pressure releases completely, open the lid and slightly mash the dal with a spatula. On cooking, Chana Dal will get soft. Keep it aside.

Preparation of Chana Dal Tadka/Chana Dal Fry:

• Heat Oil in a Kadai or Pan over medium heat.
• Add Cumin Seeds, Mustard Seeds and Dry Red Chilli. Allow them to crackle.
• Next add Asafoetida (Hing), Chopped Green Chillies and Chopped Onion. Saute them till the Onions turn slightly brown in colour.
• Now add Ginger Garlic paste. Saute for few second till the raw smell of ginger garlic goes off and aromatic smell starts coming out.
• Add Chopped Tomatoes and Salt. Cook the tomatoes till they turn soft and mushy.
• Next add the spices such as Turmeric Powder, Kashmiri Red Chilli Powder, Coriander Powder and Garam Masala.
• Saute the spices till the raw smell goes off and they are properly cooked. Aroma of the spices will start coming out.
• When the spices are properly cooked, add the cooked Chana Dal. Mix it properly with the spices.
• Add required amount of Water and allow it to cook till the consistency starts becoming thick.
• Next add Lemon Juice or Aamchur Powder. Mix them properly and cook for few minutes more.
• When the consistency of the Dal becomes little thick, turn off the stove. Remember to add Water as per the requirement of the consistency
• After switching off the stove, add Chopped Coriander Leaves and stir it. Chana Dal Tadka is ready to serve.
  
• Transfer Chana Dal Tadka into a serving bowl. Garnish with Coriander Leaves. You can also squeeze small amount of extra Lemon Juice to it.
  
• Serve it hot with Steamed Rice, Jeera Rice or any other Rice Recipes. You can also serve it with Roti or Paranthas along with Ghee, Papad or Raita.
  

Notes:

1. To cook the Chana Dal, you can also use open pot method. However it will take more time. Pressure cooker is better option.
2. Add Water as per requirement of the thickness of the tadka. The consistency of the tadka depends upon the quantity of water added to it.
3. To make the Chana Dal Tadka spice, you can add Red Chilli Powder. You can also add more amount of Dry Red Chilli or Green Chilli.
4. If you want, you can add Salt and Turmeric Powder while pressure cooking the Chana Dal.
5. To give a tangy taste to the Chana Dal Tadka, we have added Lemon Juice or Aamchur Powder. It is optional and you can skip it if you want.
6. Soaking of Chana Dal in water helps in cooking it faster. Soak the Chana Dal in water for at least 30 minutes before cooking in pressure cooker.