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Narkel diye Cholar Dal

Narkel diye Cholar Dal (Bengali Chana Dal with Fried Coconut Slices)

Narkel diye Cholar Dal, Bengali Chana dal perfumed with fragrant whole spices. Spiked with chillies and ginger. Finished with coconut shavings. Divine !!
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Bengali

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup cholar dal washed
  • 1 tbsp raisins
  • 2 tbsps coconut shavings
  • 2 - 3 green cardamom
  • 2 inch cinnamon stick
  • 2 - 3 bay leaves
  • 2 tsps ginger grated
  • 2 - 3 green chillies slit
  • 2 tsps cumin seeds
  • 1 tsp turmeric powder
  • 2 - 3 dry whole red chillies
  • 1/2 tbsp mustard oil
  • 1/2 tbsp ghee
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • salt to taste

Instructions
 

  • Soak the dal for 5-6 hrs. Pressure cook the dal with a little salt and turmeric till just cooked, take care that the dal does not become too mushy.
  • Heat a little oil in a pan and shallow fry the coconut slices/shavings till a gorgeous golden. Drain and set aside.
  • Heat the ghee-oil mixture in a pot. Throw in the crushed cinnamon and cardamom. Once they release their aroma, add the bay leaf, cumin seeds and dry red chillies and allow to splutter.
  • Add the grated ginger and green chillies, saute for a while and then gently pour the dal .
  • Simmer the dal over low flame, occasionally stirring, for about 5-7 minutes. Add the raisins, sprinkle in the sugar and adjust the salt. (The dal is meant to have a thick consistency, you would not want it to be too thin)
  • Finish with fried coconuts and serve hot with luchi or rice.