The only thing I like better than talking about food is eating … Check This Amazing Recipe: Chana dal with crispy tarka

How to Make Chana dal with crispy tarka

Preparation time:

less than 30 mins

Cooking time:

10 to 30 mins

Serves:

Serves 3–4

Dietary:

Vegetarian

Ingredients

• 250g/9oz chana dal
• 1 garlic
• 1 tsp red chilli powder
• ½ tsp ground turmeric
• 1 cinnamon
• 1 onion
• 1–2 tbsp ghee
• salt

For the tarka

• 1–2 tbsp ghee
• 2 garlic
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp mustard seeds
• 2 long dried red chillies
• 5–6 curry leaves

To serve

• 2 tbsp tamarind chutney (available in Asian shops)
• 2.5cm/1in piece root ginger
• handful mixed fresh coriander
• 1 tsp chaat masala

Method

1. Drain the chana dal and put it into a large saucepan with the garlic, red chilli powder, turmeric, cinnamon stick and salt.

2. Pour in 350ml/12fl oz water, or enough to cover the dal and bring it to the boil.

3. Cook for 15–20 minutes, or until soft. You are looking for a firm and not mushy dal. If it is a little watery, using a wooden spoon, crush some lentils around the sides of the pan to thicken the sauce. Season the dal and put it in a serving bowl.

4. Meanwhile, fry the onion in the ghee until browned, then transfer it to kitchen paper and set aside.

5. For the tarka, melt the ghee in a small frying pan over a medium heat. Fry the garlic until it starts to brown lightly. Add the cumin and mustard seeds and cook until they splutter. Quickly add the dried red chillies and curry leaves and cook for 5 seconds. Immediately pour the tarka over the dal.

6. Garnish with the tamarind chutney, onions, herbs, ginger and chaat masala.