Cholar Dal (Bengal Gram)

I am on a break from my full time career. It felt weird in the beginning, since I have worked non stop for several years now. All of a sudden I don’t have to wake up at an unearthly hour of the morning and rush through the day. At last I have time to clear my personal mail box on an every day basis. Earlier it used to be once a week. I quickly got myself a membership with BigFlix, the online movie store. So I am all set to enjoy my hiatus.

Amidst my freelancing work and all the other things that I have lined on my “ To do” list, I realized that it’s high time I started to invite some of my friends over. We have moved in to this new house about 3 months back and haven’t had time to entertain. So I decided to take turns in inviting some of my girl friends home.

Nothing like a leisurely lunch !!!! Followed by the girlie “gup Shup”. Haven’t done that since my college days. Of course the fact that Mr. J is away at the office is a blessing…..

Cholar Dal has been a major hit with all my friends over the years. Incidentally, it happens to be my favorite dal as well. Not only is it easy to cook but goes with Rice Rotis, paratha’s or puri’s.

Ingredients

Split Bengal Gram ~ 1 Cup

Jeera (Cumin Seeds): - 1 Tsp

Tej Pata (Bay Leaf):- 2

Red Dried Chilli: - 2

Ginger :- 1 tsp, grated.

Haldi (turmeric) pd: - ½ tsp

Sugar: - 1 tsp

Salt: - As per taste

Coconut ( Optional ) – ½ cup, grated.

Oil/Ghee :- 2 tsp

Cooking Method

Add Salt and turmeric powder to the dal and boil it in a pressure cooker. The dal should not be totally mushy.

Heat Oil/Ghee in a Kadai. I prefer to use ghee since it gives a very nice flavor but you can use oil as well.

Add bay leaves, dry red chilli and Jeera. Fry for a couple of minutes. Make sure that it does not burn.

Add the grated ginger and continue frying.

Add grated coconut and fry for a couple of minutes.

Add the boiled dal to the kadai and mix well. Add water keeping in mind the thickness of the dal you desire.

Add Sugar and let the dal boil.

Add salt as per your taste.

I make this dal slightly thick since I mostly serve it with rotis or parathas. You can make it a little thinner if you plan to serve it with rice. Now tell me…isn’t this is simple to cook dish ??? Now you know why I love it !!!!