{"id":"ba9acb4d-7252-4539-a844-5a8c59f10733","url":"https://recipestripper.com/recipes/ba9acb4d-7252-4539-a844-5a8c59f10733","source_url":"https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/chana-dal-recipe-chana-dal/","title":"Chana Dal Recipe (Punjabi Style)","description":"This Chana Dal is a Punjabi-style recipe made with Bengal gram dal (hulled and split black chickpeas) cooked with onions, tomatoes, herbs and spices. The lentils are simmered with a spiced onion-tomato base. It pairs well with Indian flatbreads like roti, phulka or paratha. This dal also goes well with steamed rice.","servings":4,"servings_text":"4","prep_time":"PT10M","cook_time":"PT20M","total_time":"PT90M","image_url":"https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/chana-dal04-1.jpg","ingredients":[{"text":"1 cup or 200 grams chana dal ((split bengal gram dal or split & hulled black chickpeas))","item":"or 200 grams chana dal ((split bengal gram dal or split & hulled black chickpeas))","quantity":1,"unit":"cup"},{"text":"2½ to 3 cups water (for stovetop pressure cooking and 2 to 2½ cups water for Instant Pot cooking)","item":"water","quantity":2.5,"quantity_max":3,"unit":"cup","preparation":"for stovetop pressure cooking and 2 to 2 1/2 cups water for Instant Pot cooking"},{"text":"¼ teaspoon turmeric powder","item":"turmeric powder","quantity":0.25,"unit":"tsp"},{"text":"3 tablespoons oil (or ghee (clarified butter))","item":"oil (or ghee (clarified butter))","quantity":3,"unit":"tbsp"},{"text":"1 teaspoon cumin seeds","item":"cumin seeds","quantity":1,"unit":"tsp"},{"text":"2 teaspoons or 4 to 5 medium sized garlic (– finely chopped)","item":"or 4 to 5 medium sized garlic","quantity":2,"unit":"tsp","preparation":"– finely chopped"},{"text":"½ cup onions (– finely chopped )","item":"onions","quantity":0.5,"unit":"cup","preparation":"– finely chopped"},{"text":"1 cup or 2 medium sized tomatoes (– finely chopped)","item":"or 2 medium sized tomatoes","quantity":1,"unit":"cup","preparation":"– finely chopped"},{"text":"½ to 1 teaspoon or 1 inch ginger (– finely chopped)","item":"or 1 inch ginger","quantity":0.5,"quantity_max":1,"unit":"tsp","preparation":"– finely chopped"},{"text":"½ teaspoon or 1 green chilli (– chopped, can use serrano pepper instead)","item":"or 1 green chilli","quantity":0.5,"unit":"tsp","preparation":"– chopped, can use serrano pepper instead"},{"text":"½ teaspoon red chili powder","item":"red chili powder","quantity":0.5,"unit":"tsp"},{"text":"¼ teaspoon turmeric powder ((ground turmeric))","item":"turmeric powder ((ground turmeric))","quantity":0.25,"unit":"tsp"},{"text":"½ teaspoon garam masala","item":"garam masala","quantity":0.5,"unit":"tsp"},{"text":"½ teaspoon dry mango powder ((amchur powder) or add as required * check point 4 in notes below)","item":"dry mango powder ((amchur powder) or add as required * check point 4 in notes below)","quantity":0.5,"unit":"tsp"},{"text":"1 pinch asafoetida ((hing), optional)","item":"asafoetida ((hing)","quantity":1,"unit":"pinch","preparation":"optional)"},{"text":"1 teaspoon coriander powder ((ground coriander))","item":"coriander powder ((ground coriander))","quantity":1,"unit":"tsp"},{"text":"1 teaspoon dry fenugreek leaves ((kasuri methi), crushed, optional)","item":"dry fenugreek leaves ((kasuri methi), crushed","quantity":1,"unit":"tsp","preparation":"optional)"},{"text":"salt (– chopped, as required)","item":"salt","preparation":"– chopped, as required"},{"text":"1 to 2 tablespoons coriander leaves ( (cilantro))","item":"coriander leaves ( (cilantro))","quantity":1,"quantity_max":2,"unit":"tbsp"}],"instructions":[{"number":1,"text":"Pick and rinse the chana dal well in running water.","section":"Cooking Lentils"},{"number":2,"text":"Soak the dal in enough water for an hour. Or soak in hot water (not boiling hot water) for 30 minutes.","section":"Cooking Lentils"},{"number":3,"text":"Drain the lentils and add them to a 3 litre pressure cooker along with turmeric powder. Add 2½ to 3 cups water in the cooker and stir well. If using Instant pot add 2 to 2½ cups water.","section":"Cooking Lentils"},{"number":4,"text":"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.","section":"Cooking Lentils"},{"number":5,"text":"In the instant pot, pressure cook on high mode for 10 to 12 minutes.","section":"Cooking Lentils"},{"number":6,"text":"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.","section":"Cooking Lentils"},{"number":7,"text":"Check the lentils. They should be very soft and easy to mush with the back of a spoon.","section":"Cooking Lentils"},{"number":8,"text":"Cover and set aside the cooked chana dal.","section":"Cooking Lentils"},{"number":9,"text":"In another pan, heat oil or ghee.","section":"Making Chana Dal"},{"number":10,"text":"Add the cumin seeds first and fry for a few seconds till they splutter.","section":"Making Chana Dal"},{"number":11,"text":"Then add the garlic and fry till they become light brown.","section":"Making Chana Dal"},{"number":12,"text":"Now add the onions and fry till they get golden stirring often.","section":"Making Chana Dal"},{"number":13,"text":"Now add the chopped tomatoes, ginger and green chili.","section":"Making Chana Dal"},{"number":14,"text":"Stir and add all the dry spice powders - turmeric powder, red chili powder, garam masala powder, asafoetida, dry mango powder and coriander powder.","section":"Making Chana Dal"},{"number":15,"text":"Sauté stirring often till the tomatoes soften and the oil starts to leave the sides of the mixture.","section":"Making Chana Dal"},{"number":16,"text":"Add the crushed dry fenugreek leaves (kasoori methi) and stir.","section":"Making Chana Dal"},{"number":17,"text":"Pour the cooked chana dal together with its stock to the sautéed masala mixture or vice versa. Season with salt according to taste.","section":"Making Chana Dal"},{"number":18,"text":"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.","section":"Making Chana Dal"},{"number":19,"text":"Garnish with chopped coriander leaves.","section":"Making Chana Dal"},{"number":20,"text":"Serve the chana dal hot with some basmati rice or roti or bread.","section":"Making Chana Dal"}],"date_published":"2026-10-30T23:46:26.276801+00:00","date_modified":"2026-10-30T23:46:26.276801+00:00"}