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A classic Bengali delicacy, this chana dal is cooked with sweet coconut pieces and fragrant whole spices. The perfect balance of sweet and savory, it's a festive favorite often served with luchi or rice.
For 4 servings
Prepare and Cook the Dal
Prepare the Tempering (Phoron)
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A classic Bengali delicacy, this chana dal is cooked with sweet coconut pieces and fragrant whole spices. The perfect balance of sweet and savory, it's a festive favorite often served with luchi or rice.
This bengali recipe takes 45 minutes to prepare and yields 4 servings. At 330.63 calories per serving with 11.1g of protein, it's a moderately challenging recipe perfect for lunch or dinner.
Combine and Simmer
Finish and Serve
Replace ghee with coconut oil or another neutral vegetable oil for a fully plant-based version.
Use jaggery (gur) instead of sugar for a more traditional and earthy sweetness. Crumble or grate the jaggery before adding.
For a special occasion, add a few strands of saffron soaked in warm milk or water along with the garam masala at the end.
Chana dal is a powerhouse of plant-based protein, crucial for building and repairing tissues, muscle development, and overall body function.
High in fiber, this dal aids in digestion, helps maintain bowel regularity, and promotes a feeling of fullness, which can assist in weight management.
The combination of complex carbohydrates from the dal, healthy fats from ghee and coconut, and simple sugars provides a sustained release of energy.
Bengali Cholar Dal is unique due to its 'mishti' or sweet and savory flavor profile. It uses whole spices like cinnamon and cardamom, fried coconut pieces, and raisins, which are not typically found in North Indian chana dal preparations.
Yes, you can. After soaking, cook the dal in a heavy-bottomed pot with a lid. It will take significantly longer, about 45-60 minutes, for the dal to become tender. Add more hot water as needed during cooking.
It is traditionally served with fluffy 'luchi' (deep-fried flatbreads). It also pairs wonderfully with 'porota' (paratha), 'kochuri', or plain steamed rice.
It is a nutritious dish, rich in plant-based protein and fiber from the dal. However, it also contains ghee, coconut, and sugar, making it moderately high in calories and fat. It's best enjoyed as part of a balanced meal.
A single serving (approximately 1 cup or 185g) contains around 350-400 calories, depending on the amount of ghee and sugar used.
Absolutely. Simply substitute the ghee with an equal amount of coconut oil or any neutral vegetable oil to make it vegan-friendly.