Urad Chana dal recipe, How to make Urad Chana Dal

Urad chana dal is popularly known as Maa chole ki dal. It is commonly relished in Punjabi households.

The consistency of this dal is usually thicker than other dal. It is most commonly relished with tandoori roti or missi roti. I have served it with roti. 

This dal is mildly spicy and can be made in two different ways.

In first method, which I have shared below; the dal is cooked separately and the tempered masala is made in a pan. Then the cooked dal is added to this masala and simmered.

In the second method; the soaked dal is tempered and then cooked with the masala in a pressure cooker. Lastly garam masala and coriander leaves are added and you are done. Both the way this dal tastes delicious.

Step by step urad chana dal recipe below:

1. Rinse 1/3 cup urad dal and ¼ cup chana dal 2-3 times with water. Soak the dal in enough water for half an hour.
   
2. Meanwhile grind the 1 chopped tomato, 1 green chili and 1 inch piece of ginger together to make a fine paste.
   
3. Put the soaked dal in a pressure cooker with 1.5 cup water, ¼ tsp salt and cook it for 3-4 whistle of until the dal is cooked.
4. Let the pressure settle down and open the cooker. Whisk the dal and if required, add some hot water if it is thick. Keep it aside.
   
5. Pour 1 tbsp. ghee in a pan and heat it. Put ¼ tsp cumin seeds and asafoetida/hing in the hot ghee.
6. Once the cumin seeds start to splutter, add ¼ cup chopped onion and sauté it for 2-3 minute or until golden brown.
   
7. Add the pureed tomato mixture to the pan. Fry it until the ghee starts to float on top of it.
   
8. Now add spice powders- turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder and garam masala. Mix all the masala well and saute for 1 minute.
   
9. Pour in the dal in the pan and mix well.
   
10. Add salt as per taste and simmer the dal for 2-3 minute.
    
11. Now add chopped coriander leaves and mix. Turn off the heat.
    
12. Pour the dal in a serving bowl and garnish with cream (optional)

Urad chana dal recipe below:

Urad chana dal Prep time Cook time Total  8 min 17 min  25 min Urad chana dal- A mildly spicy dish made with white lentil and chickpea lentil. AUTHOR: Monali RECIPE TYPE: Main CUISINE: Indian SERVES: 4 INGREDIENTS (measuring cup used, 1 cup=240 ml) 1/3 cup Urad dal ¼ cup Chana dal 1 large tomato, chopped 1 green chili 1 inch piece ginger ¼ cup chopped onion 1 to 2 pinch asafoetida/ hing ¼ tsp cumin seeds/ jeera ¼ tsp turmeric powder/ haldi ¼ tsp red chili powder/ lal mirch ½ tsp coriander powder/ dhania ¼ tsp garam masala ½ tsp salt or as per taste 1 tbsp. chopped fresh coriander leaves/ dhania patta 1 tbsp ghee/oil DIRECTION Rinse the urad dal and chana dal 2-3 times with water. Soak the dal in enough water for half an hour. Meanwhile grind the tomatoes, green chilies and ginger together to make a fine paste. Put the soaked dal in a pressure cooker with 1.5 cup water and cook it for 3-4 whistle of until the dal is cooked. Let the pressure settle down and open the cooker. Whisk the dal and if required add some hot water if it is thick. Keep it aside.   Pour ghee in a pan and heat it. Put cumin seeds and asafoetida/hing in the hot ghee. Add chopped onion and saute it for 2-3 minute or until golden brown. Add the pureed tomato mixture to the pan. Fry it until the ghee starts to float on top of it. Now add spice powders- turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder and garam masala. Mix all the masala well and saute for 1 minute. Pour in the dal in the pan and mix well. Add salt and simmer the dal for 2-3 minute. Now add chopped coriander leaves and mix. Turn off the heat. Pour the dal in a serving bowl and garnish with cream (optional) SERVING SUGGESTION Urad chana dal tastes great with missi roti or bajra roti. It can also be served with jeera rice or roti.