Chola-r Dal/ Bengali Style Chana Dal

Ingredients:

• chana dal : 1 cup
• bay leaves : 2-3
• dry red chilli : 2-3
• cinnamon/dalchini :1"
• cloves/laung :3-4
• green cardamoms/ elaichi : 3-4
• cumin powder :1/2 tsp
• ginger paste :1 tsp
• turmeric powder : 1/4 tsp
• salt to taste
• sugar:1 tbsp
• kismis/raisins: 1tbsp
• cashew: 1 tbsp
• ghee/clarified butter: 1 tbsp
• vegetable oil/canola oil: 1 tbsp
• water:2 cups

Procedure:
1)  Rinse the dal well and soak the dal for an hour in water.

2)  Add the soaked chana dal and 2 cups water in the pressure cooker
     on a medium to high flame pressure cook the dal for 4-5 whistles.
     The grains should be separate and yet cooked thoroughly.

3)  In a pan heat oil.Then first add all the whole spices -
     bay leaf, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom and dry red chilies.
     Fry till they become aromatic. this takes some seconds.

4)  Now add ginger paste, cumin powder, turmeric powder, and salt.
     Fry them till oil seperates from masala.

5)  Pour the boiled dal on the fried masala.

6)  Now add sugar, raisins, cashews.
     Let it boil for 4-5 minutes in high heat.

7)  Now simmer the heat and add ghee.
     Mix them well. cook for a minute or 2.

8)  Turn off the heat.

     Serve cholar dal with luchi, bengali peas kachori
     and even steamed rice if you prefer.

Notes:

 If the cholar dal becomes thick after its pressure cooked, then add some
 water to thin it.The consistency of the dal can always be adjusted by adding
 less or more water after its cooked.You can keep the consistency thin or
 thick , as per your choice.

chola-r dal