Channa Dal Curried Chickpeas Recipes

CHANA DAL (AUTHENTIC NORTH INDIAN RECIPE)

Steps:

• Pick and rinse the chana dal well in running water.
• Soak the dal in enough water for an hour. Or soak in hot water (not boiling hot water) for 30 minutes.
• Drain the lentils and add them to a 3 litre pressure cooker along with turmeric powder. Add 2.5 to 3 cups water in the cooker and stir well. For Instant pot add 2 to 2.5 cups water.
• On a high heat pressure cook the lentils for 10 to 11 minutes or for 7 to 8 whistles or more, till the dal is softened and well cooked.
• In the instant pot, pressure cook on high mode for 10 to 12 minutes.
• Allow the cooker or Instant Pot to do a complete natural pressure release before unsealing the lid. That means to let the pressure falls on its own in the cooker or instant pot.
• Check the lentils. They should be very soft and easy to mush with the back of a spoon.
• Cover and set aside the cooked chana dal.
• In another pan, heat oil or ghee.
• Add the cumin seeds first and fry for a few seconds till they splutter.
• Then add the garlic and fry till they become light brown.
• Now add the onions and fry till they get golden stirring often.
• Now add the chopped tomatoes, ginger and green chili.
• Stir and add all the dry spice powders - turmeric powder, red chili powder, garam masala powder, asafoetida, dry mango powder and coriander powder.
• Sauté stirring often till the tomatoes soften and the oil starts to leave the sides of the mixture.
• Add the crushed dry fenugreek leaves (kasoori methi) and stir.
• Pour the cooked chana dal together with its stock to the sautéed masala mixture or vice versa. Season with salt according to taste.
• Stir and simmer the dal for 6 to 8 minutes or more till you get medium consistency of the dal. The consistency is neither thick nor thin.
• Garnish with chopped coriander leaves.
• Serve the chana dal hot with some basmati rice or roti or bread.

CURRIED CHICK-PEAS ( CHANA DAL)

Steps:

• In a large sieve or colander, wash the chickpeas under cold running water until the draining water runs clear. Drop the chick-peas into a large bowl or pan, pour in enough water to cover them by at least 2 inches., and let them soak at room temperature uncovered for 12 hours or overnight.
• Drain the chick-peas in a large colander or sieve, place them in a heavy 3-4 quart saucepan, and add the tea leaves, salt, and 4 cups of the water. Bring to a boil over high heat, partially cover the pan, reduce the heat to low and simmer.
• In a separate 3-4 quart saucepan, heat the ghee over high heat until a drop of water flicked into it splutters instantly. Add the cumin seeds and stir 30 seconds,then add the onions and ginger. Lower the heat to moderate and, stirring constantly, fry the mixture for 7-8 minutes, until the onions are soft and golden brown.
• Watch carefully for signs of burning and regulate the heat accordingly. Stir in the turmeric, cumin, ground coriander, garam masala, red pepper, and 1 Tblsp. of water, and fry for 1 minute. Then add the chick-peas, their cooking liquid and the remaining 1 cup of water.
• Stirring constantly, bring to a boil over high heat, cover the pan tightly, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for about 25 minutes, or until the chick-peas are tender but still intact. Taste for seasoning, ladle the entire contents of the pan into a heated bowl. Sprinkle with the fresh coriander and serve at once.

CHANA DAL (SPLIT CHICKPEA CURRY)

Steps:

• Soak: Add chana dal to a pot and cover with water. Let soak for 1 to 2 hours (or 8 hours, if starting in the morning before work). Strain before using.
• Base: Heat oil over medium heat in a large skillet or pot, then add onion, ginger, garlic, and garam masala. Cook until onion is softened and fragrant (about 3 minutes), then add the whole can of diced tomatoes, strained chana dal, and water.
• Cook: Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until chana dal is soft enough to be pinched between two fingers (about 25 to 40 minutes). Add more water, as needed, until chana dal has cooked through. Season with salt, taste, and add more salt/garam masala as needed.
• Serve: Serve warm with rice, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, and fresh cilantro. I also love it with a dollop of plain yogurt and some homemade naan!

CHANNA DAL (CURRIED CHICKPEAS)

Steps:

• Put chickpeas in a bowl. Add enough cold water to cover and soak overnight.
• To cook, drain chickpeas. Place chickpeas, water, turmeric, cumin, coriander, and cayenne in a heavy saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low, cover pan, and simmer for about 1 hour.
• In a large saucepan, melt margarine over medium heat. Add cumin seed and cook for 1 minute. Add the onion, garlic, and ginger and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, or until onion turns golden brown.
• Add chickpeas and cooking liquid to onion mixture. Turn heat to high and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Cover pan, reduce heat to low, and simmer 30 minutes, or until chickpeas are tender but not mushy. Mix well.
• Place chickpeas in a serving dish and sprinkle with cilantro leaves.

CHANA DAL, NEW DELHI-STYLE

Steps:

• Combine the chana dal, turmeric, cardamom, bay leaf, salt and 4 cups water in a large saucepan and bring to a boil. Adjust the heat so the mixture bubbles gently, cover partly and cook for 40 minutes. At that point, the mixture should still be quite moist; if it is not, add 1 cup additional water and continue cooking, covered, until the dal is tender, about 20 minutes; turn off the heat. Remove the bay leaf. Use an Indian mathani (see related article) to purée the dal for about 1 minute; the dal should be saucy but not soupy.
• To make the tadka, put the oil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, add the cloves; let sizzle for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until medium brown. Stir in the chili flakes if you're using them, and turn off the heat.
• Pour the tadka into the dal; stir gently to combine. Garnish with cilantro and serve.

CHANA MASALA (SAVORY INDIAN CHICK PEAS)

Steps:

• Grind onion, tomato, ginger, garlic, and chile pepper together in a food processor into a paste.
• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Fry bay leaves in hot oil until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Pour the paste into the skillet and cook until the oil begins to separate from the mixture and is golden brown in color, 2 to 3 minutes. Season the mixture with chili powder, coriander, powder, gram masala, turmeric, and salt; cook and stir until very hot, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Stir enough water into the mixture to get a thick gravy; bring to a boil and stir chickpeas into the gravy. Reduce heat to medium and cook until the chickpeas are heated through, 5 to 7 minutes. Garnish with cilantro.