Recipe- Dhaba Style Chana Dal Recipe

Chana Dal is one of my favorite dals to enjoy with rice. Made with fresh ingredients and a handful of spices, this dal is packed with flavors!

It is also vegan and gluten-free. This recipe is so flavorful and what makes it work is the use of fresh ingredients. This is a north Indian style Chana Dal since I am from north India, this is how I make it.

Ingredients

1 cup chana dal 205 grams
3 cups water 24 oz, divided, more or less as needed
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1.25 teaspoons salt divided
6 large garlic cloves divided, 4 whole and 2 chopped
1.5 inch ginger
1 green chili
2 tablespoons +2 teaspoons oil divided, 30 ml + 10 ml (I used avocado oil)
1 medium red onion 160 grams, chopped
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
3 whole cloves
2 green cardamom
1.5 inch cinnamon stick
2 medium tomatoes 285 grams, chopped
1/2 teaspoon coriander powder
1/4 teaspoon garam masala
1/2 teaspoon kashmiri red chili powder this is for color and is not hot
1 teaspoon kasuri methi crushed, dried fenugreek leaves
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
1 whole dried red chili
piece of charcoal for dhungar method, optional

Method

* Rinse the chana dal and then add it to a pressure cooker along with 2.5 cups water (20 oz), 1/2 teaspoon turmeric and 3/4 teaspoon salt.

* Pressure cook the dal until it's cooked and soft. On normal stove-top pressure cooker, it would take 8-10 whistles on high flame. If using an electric pressure cooker like the Instant Pot, cook on high pressure for 13 minutes. In both the cases, let the pressure release naturally.

* Set this aside and work on the masala. Meanwhile crush 4 large garlic cloves, 1.5-inch ginger and 1 green chili in a mortar pestle and set it aside.

* Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a heavy bottom pan on medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the whole spices- cumin seeds, cloves, green cardamom and cinnamon stick. Sauté for few seconds until the spices are fragrant.

* Then add the chopped onion and cook for around 3 to 4 minutes until they are soft and start to change color.

* Now, add the freshly pounded garlic-ginger-green chili and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until the raw smell goes away.

* Then add the chopped tomatoes, stir and cook for 7 to 8 minutes until they are very soft and completely cooked. Also add 1/2 teaspoon salt along with the tomatoes.

* Then add the spices- coriander powder, garam masala, kashmiri red chili powder and kasuri methi. Also add the cilantro. If you want to make the dal spicier, you can replace half of the kashmiri red chili powder with regular chili powder which is hotter. Stir and cook the spices for 30 seconds.

* Now, add the boiled chana dal to the pan along with 1/2 to 3/4 cup ( 4 to 6 oz) of more water (depending on the consistency you prefer). Stir and let the dal simmer for 5 to 6 minutes on medium-low heat.

* For the tadka, heat 2 teaspoons oil (or you can use ghee) in a small pan on medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the chopped garlic (from remaining 2 cloves of garlic) and dried red chili and cook for one minute until the garlic starts changing color.

* Transfer tadka to the simmering chana dal and stir.

* This step is optional. For the dhungar method, place a steel bowl on top of the dal. Then using tongs heat a piece of charcoal over direct heat until its red hot. Place the hot charcoal in that steel bowl on top of the dal using the tongs .

* Pour oil or ghee on top of charcoal. You will immediately see fumes coming out of charcoal. Immediately close the pan with a lid. Let it remain like this for 2 to 3 minutes.

* After 3 minutes, remove lid and remove the bowl from dal. The longer you keep the lid closed, the smokier dal will get, I don't like doing it for more than 3 minutes. Serve chana dal hot with rice, roti!