Chana Dal With Bell Pepper

Total Time: 50 mins Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 250 g channa dal (gram dal)
• 2 tablespoons cooking oil
• 1 large red bell pepper
• 1 large tomato
• 1/2 onion
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon coriander powder
• 3/4 teaspoon mustard seeds
• 2 -3 dried red chilies
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 cloves
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 3 -5 curry leaves
• coriander (optional)
• parsley (optional)
• 1/4 teaspoon ginger paste
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic paste

Recipe

• 1 soak chana dal in water for a few hours prior to use.
• 2 heat oil and add mustard seeds, bay leaf, cinammon, ginger and garlic pastes, and cloves.
• 3 add onions and let it heat till they turn translucent.
• 4 add chopped tomato and curry leaves and then the chana dal, making sure to add enough water to cover the dal as it boils.
• 5 cook on medium-high heat with a closed lid for 15-20min until the chana dal softens, while continuing to replenish the water now and again as it evaporates (make sure that you add boiling and not cold water).
• 6 as soon as chana begins to soften, add the sliced capsicum (or diced bottlegourd, if that is your preference).
• 7 stir it in well with the chana and continue to cook until both the chana and capsicum (or bottlegourd), have softened sufficiently.
• 8 garnish with cilantro.
• 9 serve with rice or paratha.