Dal Chenchki
by Tarla Dalal
dal chenchki recipe | Bengali dal chenchki | healthy dal recipe | with 32 amazing images.
A very interesting way of preparing dal, learnt from the Bengalis, the dal chenchki has a really mouth-watering flavour and appetizing aroma. Learn how to make dal chenchki recipe | Bengali dal chenchki | healthy dal recipe |
Typically, most Bengali dishes are tempered with a mix of seeds including mustard, fenugreek and nigella. The dal chenchki too derives much of its flavour from this mix of seeds, as well as a range of spice powders.
Shallots also give the dal a nice crunch and pungent taste. This healthy dal recipe is pressure-cooked, and is therefore not very time consuming. dal chenchki can also be enjoyed by diabetics, people with heart problems and weight-watchers as it is quite healthy, with a good dose of protein and iron too.
Tips to make dal chenchki: 1. If you are jain, they can avoid adding shallots. 2. Instead of masoor dal you can use any other dal. 3. Nigella seeds are very important to add in Bengali cuisine.
Enjoy dal chenchki recipe | Bengali dal chenchki | healthy dal recipe | with step by step photos.
Dal Chenchki recipe - How to make Dal Chenchki
Soaking Time: 30 minutes Preparation Time: Cooking Time: Total Time:
Makes 4 servings
For Dal Chenchki
3/4 cup masoor (split red lentil) dal
1 tsp oil
2 green chillies , slit
1/4 tsp cumin seeds (jeera)
1/4 tsp nigella seeds (kalonji)
1/4 tsp fenugreek (methi) seeds
1/4 tsp mustard seeds ( rai / sarson)
1 bay leaf (tejpatta)
1/2 cup peeled shallots (madras onions)
1/2 cup chopped tomatoes
1/2 tsp chilli powder
1/4 tsp turmeric powder (haldi)
1 tsp garam masala
1/2 tsp coriander (dhania) powder
salt to taste
2 tbsp chopped coriander (dhania)
- Method
- Wash and soak the masoor dal in enough water in a deep bowl for ½ hour. Drain well and keep aside.
- Heat the oil in a pressure cooker and add green chillies, cumin seeds, nigella seeds, fenugreek seeds, mustard seeds and bayleaf and sauté on a medium flame for few seconds.
- Add the shallots and sauté on a medium flame for 2 minutes.
- Add the soaked and drained masoor dal and sauté on a medium flame for 2 minutes or till the dal turns light brown in colour.
- Add the tomatoes, chilli powder, turmeric powder, garam masala and coriander powder, mix well and cook on a medium flame for 2 minutes, while stirring occasionally.
- Add 2½ cups of water and salt, mix well and pressure cook for 3 whistles.
- Allow the steam to escape before opening the lid.
- Add the coriander and mix well.
- Serve hot.
like dal chenchki recipe
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dal chenchki recipe | Bengali dal chenchki | healthy dal recipe | then do try other dal recipes also:
- methi dal recipe | methi toovar dal | toor dal with fresh fenugreek | methi dal fry |
- red lentil soup recipe | Indian style red lentil vegetable soup | heart friendly red lentil soup for weight loss |
what is dal chenchki recipe made of?
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dal chenchki recipe | Bengali dal chenchki | healthy dal recipe | is made using easily available ingredients in India: 3/4 cup masoor dal (split red lentil), 1 tsp oil, 2 slit green chillies, 1/4 tsp cumin seeds (jeera), 1/4 tsp nigella seeds (kalonji), 1/4 tsp fenugreek (methi) seeds, 1/4 tsp mustard seeds ( rai / sarson), 1 bayleaf (tejpatta), 1/2 cup peeled shallots (madras onions), 1/2 cup chopped tomatoes, 1/2 tsp chilli powder, 1/4 tsp turmeric powder (haldi), 1 tsp garam masala, 1/2 tsp coriander (dhania) powder, Salt to taste and 2 tbsp chopped corainder (dhania). See the below image of list of ingredients for dal chenchki.
how to soak masoor dal
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Take ¾ cup masoor dal (split red lentil) in a deep bowl.
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Wash and soak the masoor dal in enough water in a deep bowl for ½ hour.
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Drain well and keep aside.
how to make dal chenchki
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Heat 1 tsp oil in a pressure cooker.
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Add 2 slit green chillies.
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Add ¼ tsp cumin seeds (jeera).
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Add ¼ tsp nigella seeds (kalonji).
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Add ¼ tsp fenugreek (methi) seeds.
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Add ¼ tsp mustard seeds ( rai / sarson).
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Add 1 bayleaf (tejpatta).
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Sauté on a medium flame for few seconds.
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Add ½ cup peeled shallots (madras onions).
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Sauté on a medium flame for 2 minutes.
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Add the soaked and drained masoor dal.
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Sauté on a medium flame for 2 minutes or till the dal turns light brown in colour.
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Add ½ cup chopped tomatoes.
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Add ½ tsp chilli powder.
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Add ¼ tsp turmeric powder (haldi).
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Add 1 tsp garam masala.
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Add ½ tsp coriander (dhania) powder.
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Mix well and cook on a medium flame for 2 minutes, while stirring occasionally.
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Add 2½ cups of water.
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Add salt to taste.
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Mix well and pressure cook for 3 whistles.
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Allow the steam to escape before opening the lid.
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Add 2 tbsp finely chopped coriander.
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Serve Dal chenchki hot.
tips to make dal chenchki
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For a jains, they can avoid adding shallots.
-
Instead of masoor dal you can use any other dal.
-
Nigella seeds are very important to add in Bengali cuisine.
Energy | 121 cal |
Protein | 7.6 g |
Carbohydrates | 19.1 g |
Fiber | 3.5 g |
Fat | 1.5 g |
Cholesterol | 0 mg |
Vitamin A | 262.4 mcg |
Vitamin B1 | 0.2 mg |
Vitamin B2 | 0.1 mg |
Vitamin B3 | 1 mg |
Vitamin C | 10.2 mg |
Folic Acid | 18.3 mcg |
Calcium | 38.1 mg |
Iron | 2.4 mg |
Magnesium | 28.6 mg |
Phosphorus | 96.2 mg |
Sodium | 5.9 mg |
Potassium | 213.6 mg |
Zinc | 1 mg |
Good for one time trial
Awesome dal to be enjoyed with rotis and rice. Simple and yet flavorful dal. Since I am a diabetic I am going to make this dal often and it will take care of my protien requirement too.