Chana dal is a wholesome dish that has protein, calcium, iron and vitamins. It contains high levels of folate and magnesium which are believed to prevent colon cancer and heart disease. The chana dal or the split chickpea is known to be one of the healthiest legumes. This dish is best served with pulao and vegetable curry and it turns out delicious if you follow a good chana dal recipe.
This delicious and healthy dal can be made with a variety of spices, groundnuts or cashews, water, and salt. It is one of the most popular Indian dishes as it's easy to whip up in no time. They are also known as split chickpea lentils and they are popular in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.
This dish, chana dal is known to be best served with fried potatoes and raita. This meal is also a favourite among the health conscious because it's low in calories. Another interesting fact about this dish is that it can be kept for a few days and can also be transported easily.
Chana Dal is very easy to prepare and doesn't take long as there are no complicated steps involved in it. It contains very simple spices and groundnuts so anyone who prepares this should not worry about any complicated steps.
Nutritional Information on Chana Dal
Chana dal is very rich in dietary fibre and protein. Dietary fibre helps to reduce cholesterol levels in our bodies and also regulates body weight.
Chana dal is a good source of certain minerals such as iron, manganese, copper, potassium, magnesium, selenium and zinc. Manganese helps the body produce energy from carbohydrates. Iron helps to carry oxygen around the body to help with healthy blood cells. Magnesium helps to keep the nerves and muscles healthy.
Chana dal also contains high quantities of vitamins B1, B6, B9 and C. Vitamin C helps to maintain healthy skin and also helps to absorb iron from food. They also have high levels of folate which is essential for making dark red blood cells.
You can add some different spices like cumin seeds to enhance the taste of this dish as well. Groundnuts can add a little flavour if preferred so just grind them and add to the dal uniformly with a little water while they are soaking. It will not matter if there are some lumps or bits.
Chana Dal Recipe
Make chana dal using this easy recipe. You will need the following ingredients:
Chana dal, 1 cup
Groundnut, 1 tbsp
Water, 2 cups
Onion, 1 medium-sized chopped finely
Ginger garlic paste, 2 tsp (optional)
Tomatoes
You can also add some spices like cumin seeds, coriander powder, a pinch of red chilli powder and salt to taste. If you are feeling adventurous then you can throw in some green chillies as well to make it spicier.
Steps For Making Chana Dal
● Wash the chana dal thoroughly in water and soak it for six hours or overnight. Add enough water to the dal while soaking it until the whole chana gets absorbed. Once soaked, drain them and allow them to dry completely by covering them with a thick cloth.
● Chop the onion finely and add ginger garlic paste. Wash, peel and chop the tomatoes. It will help to have a pressure cooker to do this.
● While the dal is still wet, grind it coarsely in a grinder or blender with little water. Add some salt as well if you prefer a less salty dish. Now that they are ground, they don't need to be soaked again because they already have enough moisture from the soaking process after which you can cook them.
● Do not add any turmeric now because its colour will change after cooking and ensure you use the chana dal recipe so that you won't get a brown chana dal.
● After grinding, add the onion, ginger garlic paste and tomatoes to the dal. Also, add the salt to taste and give it a good stir.
● Add water in one cup increments while cooking until you get desired consistency.
Pressure Cooker Method:
For a pressure cooker method follow these steps:
Add enough water in each pot to cover the chana dal completely and bring it to a boil for three to five minutes on high flame till it becomes much softer.
Reduce the heat and cook for another 15 minutes or until cooked completely (check by pressing on it using a spoon). Allow it to cool down. Cook the dal as mentioned above, without soaking it.
Conclusion
There is no doubt that the chana dal recipe is a guide to cooking a healthy and delicious dish. It is a great way to get more of all the essential nutrients that our body needs. Using this recipe, you can easily cook it at home and enjoy eating it with rice or roti. Hope this article helps you make the right choice by ensuring that you follow the recipe correctly.
Where does chana dal originate from?
Chana Dal originates from India as traditional cuisine.
Do you get the chana dal ready in advance and use it later?
Chana Dal needs to be soaked for at least six hrs. If you soak it overnight then make sure you strain it so that any remaining water does not enter the dal for the cooking process.