Cheater's Chana Dal

User Reviews

4.4

39 reviews
Good
  • Prep Time

    1 hr 15 mins

  • Cook Time

    15 mins

  • Total Time

    1 hr 45 mins

  • Servings

    4 servings

  • Calories

    184 kcal

  • Course

    Main Course

  • Cuisine

    Japanese, Indian

Cheater's Chana Dal

Easy to make and packed with flavor, this chana dal (split chickpea curry) is a pared-down version of a classic Indian/Pakistani recipe. It's been adapted so you can make it with common spices in a standard Western kitchen, yet it maintains all the bold flavor.

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Ingredients

Servings
  • 1 cup dried chana dal (split chickpeas) can sub whole chickpeas*, 200 g
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil 30 mL
  • 1 white or yellow onion finely diced
  • 2 Tbsp fresh grated ginger
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tsp garam masala
  • 1 .5-oz can diced tomatoes 400 g
  • 1 ½ cups water 355 mL
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • To serve: rice, lemon, cilantro, yogurt
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Instructions

  1. Soak: Add chana dal to a pot and cover with water. Let soak for 1 to 2 hours (or 8 hours, if starting in the morning before work). Strain before using.
  2. Base: Heat oil over medium heat in a large skillet or pot, then add onion, ginger, garlic, and garam masala. Cook until onion is softened and fragrant (about 3 minutes), then add the whole can of diced tomatoes, strained chana dal, and water.
  3. Cook: Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until chana dal is soft enough to be pinched between two fingers (about 25 to 40 minutes). Add more water, as needed, until chana dal has cooked through. Season with salt, taste, and add more salt/garam masala as needed.
  4. Serve: Serve warm with rice, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, and fresh cilantro. I also love it with a dollop of plain yogurt and some homemade naan!

Notes

  • *If you're unable to find chana dal, you can use whole chickpeas here.
  • To use dried chickpeas, follow instructions as given, through they will need longer to cook.
  • To use canned chickpeas, use 2 (14-oz) cans, drained. Add them to the mixture and cook until hot (they will need less time to cook).
  • Storage: This will keep in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the fridge.
  • Can I make this in an Instant Pot or pressure cooker? Yes, once the split peas are softened, you can use the Instant Pot saute function to saute the vegetables. Then add everything else, seal the lid, and cook on high for 15 minutes. Let it naturally release for 10 minutes before opening the lid. 
  • The only challenge with this method is you can't monitor the chana dal to see if it needs more liquid as it cooks. That's why I prefer the stove-top method.

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Serving 1serving (without rice) Calories 184kcal (9%) Carbohydrates 23g (8%) Protein 5.9g (12%) Fat 8.7g (13%) Saturated Fat 1.2g (6%) Cholesterol 0mg (0%) Sodium 252mg (11%) Potassium 88mg (3%) Fiber 6g (24%) Sugar 5.5g (11%) Calcium 110mg (11%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 184 kcal

% Daily Value*

Serving 1serving (without rice)
Calories 184kcal 9%
Carbohydrates 23g 8%
Protein 5.9g 12%
Fat 8.7g 13%
Saturated Fat 1.2g 6%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 252mg 11%
Potassium 88mg 2%
Fiber 6g 24%
Sugar 5.5g 11%
Calcium 110mg 11%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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Overall Rating

4.4

39 reviews
Good

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