Cholar Dal

Hi Friends,

Last week I tried one Bengali Dal recipe. This one is very similar to the Dal Prasad or Abhada that is offered to Lord Jagannath at Puri Jagannath Temple. Slightly sweet and the aroma and flavorful dish is apt for religious ceremonies. Here goes the recipe,

Ingredients:- 

Split Bengal gram (chana dal) 1 cup

Ghee 3 tablespoons

Coconut 1/4 inch pieces

Turmeric powder 1/2 teaspoon

Salt to taste

Sugar 1 teaspoon

Cloves 3

Cinnamon 1 inch stick

Black cardamom 1

Cumin seeds 1/2 teaspoon

Bay leaves 2

Whole dry red chillies 2

Ginger paste 1 teaspoon

Raisins 1 teaspoon

Roasted Cumin and red chilli powder 1/2 teaspoon

Method :-

Wash and soak the dal for an hour. Drain and pressure-cook with three cups of water till just done. Heat two tablespoons of ghee in a pan and fry coconut pieces till golden. Drain and set aside. Add turmeric powder, salt and sugar to the dal and simmer on low heat till most of its water gets absorbed and it becomes thick.Heat the remaining ghee in another pan. Add cloves, cinnamon, black cardamom, cumin seeds, bay leaves, whole dry red chillies  and sauté for two minutes. Add roasted cumin and red chilli powder . Then pour this seasoning into the simmering dal. Add ginger paste, fried coconut pieces and raisins and simmer for five more minutes. Serve hot with luchi's or puri's.