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Easy & Healthy Chana Dal

A simple, wholesome Indian chana dal cooked with light spices — perfect for a healthy everyday meal.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main, side
Cuisine: Indian
Calories: 220
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 1 cup chana dal (split Bengal gram) washed and rinsed
  • 2.5 cups water
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt (or to taste) add after cooking
  • 1 tbsp oil
  • 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
  • 1 pinch asafoetida (hing) optional, for digestion
  • 1 green chili green chili (slit or chopped) optional
  • 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste or 1 tsp each ginger and garlic chopped

Equipment

  • Pressure cooker

Method
 

  1. Wash and rinse the chana dal well. Soak it in water for 30 minutes (optional for quicker cooking).
  2. Drain the dal and put it into a pressure cooker. Add 2.5 cups of water and turmeric powder. Close the lid and pressure cook for 8–10 whistles (or about 13 minutes on Instant Pot). Let the pressure release naturally.
  3. Once the dal is soft and cooked, open the cooker and add salt. Stir gently.
  4. In a small pan, heat oil on medium flame. Add cumin seeds and a pinch of asafoetida. Let the seeds crackle.
  5. Add ginger-garlic paste and green chili. Sauté for about 1 minute till raw smell disappears.
  6. Pour this tempering over the cooked dal. Mix well. Simmer dal for 2–3 minutes and adjust consistency with water if needed.
  7. Turn off heat and serve hot with rice or roti.

Notes

Soaking dal helps it cook faster and digest easier. Adjust water for thicker or thinner dal. Use asafoetida if dal causes gas.