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

Narkel diye Cholar Dal, also known as split Bengal Gram with Fried Coconut, is a traditional, no onion no garlic Dal recipe that is widely popular in Bengali cuisine. This delicious Dal is usually served with Luchi or Parota (Paratha) along with some sweets as side dish. 

I always feel that I could never match the cooking skills of my Pishimoni and Kakimoni (aunty), both of whom were adept at preparing vegetarian recipes. Whereas I can prepare a comforting non-vegetarian recipe in no time, it takes me much longer to prepare vegetarian recipes. Cooking especially no-onion no-garlic is always a challenge for me. But there are few recipes that I love to cook and they are purely vegetarian recipes, Cholar dal with narkel is one of my favourite recipes.

Ingredients: 

• Cholar Dal - 1 and half cup (soaked) 
• Coconut - sliced into small pieces
• Cashew nuts - 10-12
• Raisins - a few
• Cardamom pods - 3-4 (crushed)
• Cinnamon sticks -2
• Bay leaf - 2
• Dry Red Chillies - 2
• Ginger - 1 tsp (grated or paste)
• Panchforon - 1 tsp
• Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
• Salt to taste 
• Sugar - 1/2 tsp
• Vegetable oil (Or mustard oil) - 3 tsp 
• Green chillies - 4-5 
• Dry red chilli - 2 
• Cardamom powder - 1/2 tsp
• Ghee - 1 tsp

Process:

1. Wash and soak cholar dal for at least 1-2 hours. Add on a pressure cooker with 2 cups of water, salt, turmeric and crushed cardamom pods. While cooking ensure that the dal does not become to mushy.

2. Add ghee on a small frying pan and shallow fry coconuts, cashew nuts and raisins separately until light brown. Keep aside. 

3. Now heat oil on a heavy bottomed kadhai, add bay leaves, red chillies, panchforom and allow to splutter. Add grated giner, mix well and allow 2 minute to release the aroma. 

4. Now add the boiled dal and simmer for 3-4 minutes on low medium heat. Add green chillies, fried coconut, cashew nuts and raisins, cardamom powder, sugar. Give it a good mix. Cover and cook for 2-3 more minutes on low flame. Check the salt and adjust as per taste. 

5. The dal is meant to have a thick consistency. Add a spoonful of ghee to finish with. 

6. Serve with Luchi and any misti of your choice. You can add Begun bhaja also as a side dish. 

P.S. The recipe video is there on my Instagram and Youtube pages. Do check it out @romisrecipe