Chana Dal With Coconut Recipe

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Chana dal is a very traditional ingredient to cook with. Not all communities have the custom of preparing chana dal. And those that do, prepare it in their unique way. There is a Bengali chana dal recipe that is very popular. There is also a Kerala special chana dal that is cooked with coconut. Today, we are going to prepare the latter one.

The important thing about chana dal is that it is heavy. And it should not be overcooked or else its seeded texture melts away. Also, the best dal recipes using chana dal are usually on the sweeter side. This particular Indian dal recipe is also a bit sweet to taste. This dal does not taste good if it is cooked to taste too spicy.

Here is a simple recipe to cook chana dal with coconut in the Indian style.

Serves: 4
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

• Chana dal- 2 cups (soaked in water overnight)
• Dry red chillies- 2
• Bay leaf- 1
• Cumin seeds- 1tsp
• Coconut- ½ cup (grated)
• Cumin powder- 1tsp
• Turmeric powder- ½ tsp
• Tomato- 1 (chopped)
• Garam masala- ½ tsp
• Salt- to taste
• Oil- 2tbsp
• Sugar- to taste

Procedure

1. Take chana dal, salt and turmeric in a pressure cooker with 4 cups of water. Pressure cook it on medium flame for the duration of 3 whistles.
2. Heat oil in a deep bottomed pan. When it steams, add dry red chillies, bay leaf and cumin seeds.
3. After 30 seconds, add cumin powder and saute on low flame for a minute.
4. Then, add the grated coconut. Lower the flame and saute for 2-3 minutes.
5. Add tomato and cook for 3-4 minutes on a low flame.
6. Pour the boiled dal into the pan. Add garam masala and sugar as per taste.
7. Mix it up nicely and simmer for 2-3 minutes.

Serve the sweet chana dal cooked in coconut with rice or rotis.