Chainsoo/ split black gram dal/Uttarakhand special

Uttarakhand was formerly known as Uttaranchal, is the state as the name suggests in the north of India. This state borders Himachal and China on one side.
The food habits are a blend of garhwali or himachali type as well as the influence from Uttar pradesh and tibet exists. Considering the climatic conditions the food intake is primarily fat inducing. 

I picked the chainsoo recipe which is basically a warm dal made using urad dal. The dal is simple to make and good during the chilly nights


Ingredients
1 cup split black lentils/ urad dal
2 tspn crushed garlic
1 tspn red chilli powder
1 tspn turmeric powder
1 tspn coriander powder
1 tspn cumin powder
1 tspn garam masala
1 tbsp ghee
1 tspn cumin seeds
coriander to garnish
salt to taste
Method
1) Dry roast the urad dal for 4 to 5 min. The color should not change much else it will give a burnt taste
2) Grind this to a coarse powder.
3) In a pan heat some ghee, add the cumin seeds and garlic paste and saute
4) Next add the urad dal powder and saute for 2 to 3 minutes
5) Add 3 to 4 cups of water and let it cook until the dal becomes soft and mushy. About 10 min
6) Add the dry masalas except garam masala and stir well. Add more water at this stage to get the consistency of dal as per your choice
7) Add the remaining ghee on top, sprinkle garam masala and coriander and serve hot with steamed rice

This dal is heavy to digest however roasting the dal helps breaking it down and easy for digestion, try to keep it more diluted compared to the regular yellow dals


Comments

This is a really nice variation on the regular dal. Thick, creamy and filling.
Chaisoo is a lovely dish..I loved cooking from this state and wish could cook more dishes..like the way you have made it..looks yum.
Unknown said…
healthy and comforting!!! such a delicious one..
Priya Suresh said…
Chainsoo looks very comforting, nutritious and very much protein packed dish definitely.
Interesting n it's healthy too.
Srivalli said…
wow that's so good Pradnya..nothing to beat dal with chawal right..you have got the texture so well..
Harini R said…
I would love to have that for my lunch. Good one, Pradnya
Pavani said…
That looks like a very flavorful and nutritious dish.
jayanthi said…
dal looks creamy. makes a nice filling meal with rice
Chainso looks so delish and comforting...
Chainsoo looks so comforting and delicious...
Padmajha said…
Nice dal recipe Pradnya. Incidentally I have split urad dal at home.Might try it out this weekend...
Usha said…
Delicious dal... looks like a comforting food with rice.
Chef Mireille said…
what a homey dish - must be great over rice
Archana said…
Will love to have this dal when we are bored of our everyday dal. I must have tasted yum with dal.

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