Bengal gram or besan is a much used, nutritious lentil in India. The dal has a number of health benefits - it is used in treating diabetes, in dyspepsia, vomiting, indigestion, and as a beauty aid.

A liquid extract of Bengal gram dal given to a diabetic improves glucose tolerance and fasting blood sugar levels.

Chana dal lends a wonderful flavour to most dishes and is used as a staple side dish with roti/rice.

Chana Dal Rogha

Ingredients:

150 g or 1 tea cup - chana dal, pre soak it for 3 hrs

1/4 cup - desi ghee or butter melted or corn oil/sunflower oil

1 tsp - cumin seeds (jeera.)

1 tsp - dhania powdered

2 tsp - red chilli pwd or to your taste

1 tsp - tumeric powder

For Garam Masala:

4 - medium size onions paste.

2 to 3 tsp - finely chopped coriander leaves

1 or 2 tbsp - butter to be mixed at the final stage (optional)

4 - bay leaves

1 tsp - dalchini, all powdered together

1 tsp - paste of ginger and garlic

1 tsp - per serving desi ghee (optional)

siyah jeera

clove (laung)

badi and choti cardamom (ilaichi)

tez patta (bay)

Method:

1. This is one dish, which is made very much like a non veg dish and if made well
competes very well with any of non veg curries in taste.

2. Put half of ghee in a pan.

3. When ready put half tsp cumin seeds in it.

4. When sputters put pre soaked chana dal.

5. Stir cook it in medium heat till the colour changes to light brown. Take this out.

6. Put the remaining ghee in the pan.

7. Put remaining cumin and coriander with bay leaves, when they splutter put paste of onion, stir fry in medium heat till turns light brown.

8. Put the fried chana dal, turmeric powder and fry for another 3-4 mins

9. Shift this to a pressure cooker, add boiling water up to 2 inches above the dal, add garlic and ginger paste, stir it once. Add salt to taste.

10. Turn down the heat; let it cook for half an hour.

11. Open the cooker when steam has cooled and add powdered garam masala and close again for 5 mins.

12. Addition of hing (asafoetida) or coriander leaves is optional.

13. Asafoetida could be added with cumin.

14. Finely chopped coriander leaves added while serving the dish.

15. Now add butter.

16. Serve it with khatti roti (made from curd or khamiri roti) or with turmeric fried or plain rice.

17. Ghee is a must while serving.

18. For weight watchers - ghee and butter may be replaced with fresh lemon.

Recipe: Dr V Singh


Image : Wikimedia Commons