Loki Aur Chanay Ke Dal

Loki aur chanay ke dal is a great combination of lentil and vegetable with a subtle flavor. Mom used to cook it very often, and it goes very well with boiled rice or naan and roti...

 Ingredients:

1-1/2 cups chana dal / Bengal gram

250 gm to 500 gm bottle guard/loki/ kadu (peeled and cut in to cubes)

2 medium onions finely chopped

2-3 medium tomatoes finely chopped

1 tsp Ginger paste

1 tsp garlic paste

1-2 chopped green chilies

Salt to taste

1/2 tsp turmeric powder

1 1/4 tsp red chili powder

2-3 cloves,

1 black cardamom,

5-6 black pepper corns

1 small piece of cinnamon stick

1/2 tsp coriander powder

1/2 tsp garam masala powder

1 tsp cumin seeds

1/4 cup oil

1/4 bunch cilantro chopped finely

Method:

Soak the dal in water and keep aside for an hour. Heat the oil in a pan, add onions and fry till they become transparent then add the ginger and garlic paste, tomatoes, turmeric powder, red chili powder, salt, cumin seeds, black pepper corns, cardmom, cloves and cinnamon stick, fry till the oil starts to separates and tomatoes are dissolved. Add the bottle guard and fry for 3-4  minutes then add the dal and 3 cups of water, let it  come to a boil then turn the heat down, cover the pan and let it cook on low heat until the chana dal and loki gets done, remember we want to keep the consistency of dal to medium, we don’t want it too be to runny or too dry,  Once the dal gets done add in the chopped green chilies,  adjust the salt, sprinkle the garam masla, coriander powder and fresh chopped cilantro, give it a  good stir, cover the pan and cook for 5 more minutes then turn the heat off. Garnish the dal with cilantro, and Serve hot with boiled rice/roti and enjoy.