Prep time: 15 min

Cook time: 45 min

Serve: 6

Ingredients:

• 1 cup black urad sabut / whole black gram
• 1/2 cup chana dal
• 1/2 tsp Turmeric powder
• 2 tsp Ginger, finely grated
• 11/2 tsp Salt or / salt to taste
• 1 tbsp cooking Oil
• 1/2 tsp Red chili powder
• 1/2 tsp cumin seed / jeera

For tempering/tadka:

• 1 large Onion , finely chopped
• 1/4 tsp Asafetida
• 2 tbsp Ghee
• 1″Cinnamon stick
• 15 Garlic cloves , crushed
• 1Bay leaf
• 3 tsp Coriander powder
• 1 tsp garam masala

Method:

Step 1.

On high flame pressure cook the Urad sabut/ black gram lentil and chana dal along with 500 ml water, turmeric powder, grated ginger and salt. After pressure is formed, reduce the heat to low flame, cook for twenty five minutes.

Step 2.

Turn off flame and once the pressure reduces, remove the dal and mash it lightly with the back of a ladle. Add another two cups of water and bring to a boil. Reduce flame and simmer.

Step 3.

While the dal is simmering, heat ghee in a heavy bottom pan, add asafetida, cumin seed, the bay leaf, coriander powder,  and cinnamon stick and once it sizzles, add chopped onions, fry till light golden, add crushed garlic, gram masala and sauté  the seasoning for five six minutes more.

Step 4.

Add the seasoning to the simmering dal and mix well and simmer for ten – fifteen minutes, till well blended. Turn off the stove and remove the dal in a serving bowl.

Step 5.

Serve hot with rice pulaos, Raitas ,Salads and Indian breads of choice!

Note:

• For authentic flavor, the dals are cooked on slow fire after taking out of the pressure cooker.
• Using ghee in the tadka gives a rich flavor to the dals/ lentils.
• To make dal more spicy and fragrant,  half a teaspoon of garam masala is added towards the end of the cooking process.

  Health Benefits of Urad Dal:

  1.Energy Booster
  Black gram is a healthy pulse as it is rich in iron content. This helps boost the energy levels in the body and keeps you active.
  2.Protein rich
   Urad Dal is good source of protein in vegetarian diet. This makes these beans an inexpensive, economical and tasty protein source.
  3.Anti inflammatory properties
   Urad dal  has anti inflammatory properties. Usually a hot poultice of black gram is used in inflammation of joints and muscle pain.
  4.Anti-Aging
   Urad dal also has various beauty benefits. Applying urad dal face packs is good for the skin as it prevents the formation of fine lines. Moreover, black gram also helps get a fair and flawless skin.
  5.Improves Digestion
   The best benefit of ingesting urad dal is that it enhances digestion because of its rich fiber content. Urad dal benefits the health as it has both soluble and insoluble fiber which is good for digestion and also prevents constipation.
  6.Boosts Heart Health
   Aside from reducing cholesterol, black lentils also boost health. This advantage is linked to the rich magnesium and folate levels that prevent damage to the arterial walls. In addition, magnesium boosts cardiovascular health through increasing blood circulation.

  Health Benefits of Chana Dal:

  1. Chana dal is high in fiber and helps to lower cholesterol.
  2.It also has a very low hypoglycemic index, which is important for those with diabetes.
  3. Chana dal is a helpful source of zinc, folate, calcium and protein.
  4.It is low in fat and most of it is polyunsaturated.
  5.Chana dal is extremely delicious in taste, full of nutritious and can be digested easily.

  Ref.http://healthytips-foryou.blogspot.in/2014/11/health-benefits-of-urad-dal.html

   Ref.http://healthytips-foryou.blogspot.in/2014/11/health-benefits-of-chana-dal.html Introduction Reference: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-dhaba.htm

  Nick’s kitchen medical Disclaimer:

• Nick’s kitchen is for Vegetarians. It sometimes provides education and support to individuals who want to become vegetarian, or move toward a more vegetarian diet.
• Nick’s kitchen provides some information on vegetarian and vegan diets to the best of their knowledge and abilities.
• Nick’s kitchen does not claim to be health care professional, nutritionist, nor does it claims to treat any illness through vegan or vegetarian diet.
• If you have a medical condition,Nick’s kitchen recommend that you consult your health care professionals before changing your diet.
• Any changes that you make to your diet, and the results of those changes, are your decision and your responsibility.