DALS… Can’t have enough of them! Must-Try recipes from Across India
India is one of the few countries that is blessed with variety in almost every aspect, food being the most obvious one. The unquestionable love and celebration of good food has been bringing people together for many years, and when we think of good food, one of our most loved preparations comes to mind – the quintessential Dal.
From Dal Makhani to Panchratna Dal, it is the undying love for this flavoursome and versatile staple that most Indian households include in our daily diet. And each region in the country has its own favourite way of preparing them.
Cholar Dal
Dry Yellow Split Peas
Cholar Dal is a festive dal and is often made for celebrations and special occasions in Bengal. The dal is slightly sweet and fragrant due to the addition of whole spices like bayleaf, cloves, cinnamon and cardamom.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup Yellow Split Peas (Chana Dal)
- 1tbsp golden raisin (optional)
- 1-1.5 tbsp cashews (optional)
- ½ tsp Turmeric powder
- 2 tsp Sugar
- ½ tsp cumin powder
- ¼ tsp red chilli powder
- Salt to taste
For Tempering:
- 1 bay leaf
- ½ tsp cumin seeds, 2-3 dry red chillies, 1 pinch of asafoetida
- 1 tsp grated/finely chopped ginger
- 2 tbsp grated/chopped coconut
- 1.5 tbsp Clarified Butter/Oil
- For Spice Powder:
- I inch cinnamon
- 3 cloves
- 2 green cardamoms
Instructions:
- Wash the Dal well and soak in cold water for an hour or in hot water for 30mins. Drain the water and add the dal to a medium-sized pan along with 2 cups of water and a pinch of turmeric. The grains should be separate and yet cooked thoroughly.
- Seperately take 1 inch cinnamon, 2 green cardamoms and 2 to 3 cloves. Crush the whole spices, till they are powdered and place the spice powder aside.
- Add sugar and salt to the dal. If using cashews and raisins then add them now. Stir and cook on a low flame, till the water reduces a bit.
- Heat the oil/ghee in a pan. First add the bay leaf, and cumin seeds. Then add the ginger, asafoetida, red chillies and spice powder. Fry for a few seconds and then pour the tempering in the dal and mix well. In the same pan take 1 tablespoon ghee or oil. Add the coconut and fry it becomes light brown. Add this along with the ghee or oil to the dal.
Mix well and serve.