Chana Dal Recipe | Dhaba Style Chana Dal Fry Tips & Tricks

Chana Dal Recipe | Dhaba Style Chana Dal Fry | Chana Dal Masala with detailed photo and video recipe. Basically, a thick lentil curry or soup prepared from Bengal gram and tomato onion gravy base. It is generally served with plain steamed rice, flavored rice like jeera rice or ghee rice, and even with roti recipes. Unlike other traditional dal recipes, the lentils are almost cooked to hold their texture and shape.

Chana Dal Recipe | Dhaba Style Chana Dal Fry | Chana Dal Masala with step-by-step photo and video recipe. An easy dal fry recipe prepared very similar to the popular dal fry recipe which is prepared with chana dal and a small amount of masoor dal. Basically, the chana dal masala is prepared by pressure cooking the dal with tomato and onion base. In addition, it also contains, a basic spice mix to elevate the taste and flavor of the lentil curry.

While I am not a huge fan of the dal recipes, however, my husband likes them a lot. In point of fact, this recipe is shared by him and he used to prepare this dal recipe during his bachelor days. He likes the combination of chana dal and fried rice or paneer fried rice. Initially, this combination was confusing and interesting for me and I was skeptical about it. But I have to admit that even I have developed a taste for this combination. Moreover, in this recipe, I cooked the lentils in combination with just turmeric. Alternatively, dal and tomato onion can be cooked together and later add seasoning to it. This should help to cook the dal faster but may not be the best to taste. I would recommend the former way even though it is a much lengthier way to cook.

Furthermore, some additional tips, suggestions, and variations to the Channa Dal Masala Fry Recipe. Firstly, the dal curry is made with a combination of Bengal Gram and Moong Dal with Moong dal added just for consistency. However, you may add other types of dal like masoor or toor for the same reason. Secondly, do not overcook the lentil to make it a smooth paste. It has to hold its shape yet is easily mashed when pressed. Lastly, with lentils, you can add other veggies like Bottle gourd, carrots, beans, broccoli, and potatoes. Adding these vegetables makes it a multipurpose and can be served with both rice and any type of bread.

Finally, do visit my other related Indian Dal Recipes Collection with this post of Chana Dal Fry Recipe. Particularly, Dal Tadka, Dal fry, Dal Makhni, Palak Dal, Butter Dal Fry, Maa Ki Dal, Panchamel Dal, and Mango dal. In addition, do visit my other recipes collection,

• Paneer Recipes Collection
• Curries Recipes Collection
• Rice Recipe Collection

About Chana Dal Fry

It is a simple and comfortable food made with split Bengal Gram with a tomato onion gravy base. In other words, Chana Dal Masala Fry is a staple food and is often served with a range of flavored rice recipes and may also be served with a range of Indian Flat breads. Typically, it carries a thick texture compared to the other types of lentil curry, mainly because of the nature of the lentils. It is for this reason, that it is often considered a multipurpose curry and hence served with both rice and rotis.

There are many ways this simple Chana Dal Fry recipe can be prepared. The most common and basic way is to prepare with a combination of Bengal Gram and Moong Dal. Adding moong dal helps to get a rich and creamy texture. Additionally, it can also be made with a combination of other lentils like toor, masoor, and urad dal. Further, the way the dal is cooked can vary. Typically, the lentil is pressure-cooked and then tossed with tomato and onions. However, to hasten the cooking process, the onions and tomatoes can also be pressure-cooked.

Chef Tips for Channa Dal Fry

The recipe is extremely simple to cook and prepare. It requires some of the basic ingredients to prepare with a minimum amount of time. Yet some critical and mandatory tips are –

1. 1. Lentil Quality – The quality of channa dal has to be best and fresh. It should not powder when pressed and is also soggy in nature. You may perhaps, fry it with less oil to make it crisp before pressure cooking it.
   2. Pressure Cooking – Typically, the combination of lentils is just pressure-cooked and then tossed with tomato and onion gravy base. This helps to maximize the flavors and also evenly cook the lentils as compared to pressure cooking tomatoes & onions with lentils.
   3. Garnish – Typically, the cooked dal is garnished with Ghee tempering and fresh coriander leaves. However, it can also be garnished with finely chopped onions and carrot grates to make it a perfect multipurpose curry.
   4. Lentil Combination – The ideal combination of this recipe is Moong Dal with Chana Dal. Yet you can experiment with other types of dal like Toor, Masoor, and Urad dal for the same purpose.
   5. Texture – The recipe has to be thick and dense in nature with Bengal Gram almost cooked. It should hold its shape yet easily digestible and dissolve when pressed. Adding Moong Dal or Toor helps get a rich and creamy texture.

Video Recipe:

Recipe Card for Chana Dal Fry:

How to Make Chana Dal with step-by-step photos:

1. Firstly, soak 1 cup chana dal and 2 tbsp masoor dal for 30 minutes. You can also use moong dal in place of masoor dal.
   
2. Transfer the soaked dal to the pressure cooker.
   
3. Add ¼ tsp turmeric, ½ tsp salt, 1 tbsp ghee and 3 cup water.
   
4. Cover and pressure cook for 5 whistles or until the dal is cooked well.
   
5. Once the pressure is released, check whether the dal is well-cooked or not. Keep aside.
   
6. In a large kadai heat 2 tbsp ghee. add 1 bay leaf, 2 pods cardamom, 1 pod black cardamom, 1 tsp cumin and pinch hing. saute until the spices turn aromatic.
   
7. Add 5 cloves garlic and saute slightly.
   
8. Further add 1 onion, 1 tbsp ginger paste and saute until the onions turn golden brown.
   
9. Further keeping the flame on low, add ½ tsp turmeric, 1 tsp chilli powder, 1 tsp coriander powder, ½ tsp cumin powder and ¾ tsp salt.
   
10. Saute on low flame until the spices turn aromatic.
    
11. Also, add 2 tomato and saute until the oil releases.
    
12. Now add in cooked dal and mix gently. adjust the consistency as required.
    
13. Cover and simmer for 5 minutes, or until the dal absorbs the flavour.
    
14. Furthermore, in a pan heat 2 tbsp ghee, 1 tsp cumin, 2 dried red chilli and pinch chilli powder.
    
15. Pour the tempering over the dal.
    
16. Also add 2 tbsp coriander, 1 tsp kasuri methi and mix well.
    
17. Finally, enjoy Chana Dal Tadka Recipe with jeera rice.
    

Notes:

• Firstly, adding masoor dal or moong dal to chana dal gives a nice creaminess to the dal.
• Also, you can add green chili if you prefer spicy dal.
• Additionally, over-cooking the chana dal, makes the chana dal turn mushy.
• Finally, Chana dal Tadka Recipe thickens once cooled, so adjust consistency before serving.