Chana Dal

Directions

1. This is in response to requests I've seen here from time to time. The Comments in parentheses are mine, and I've paraphrased some portions. I've tried these and several other recipes from this book & highly recommend it!
2. These dals are great served with rice or possibly one of the Indian breads, and adding a good warm curry and several condiments almost makes a feast! My favorite condiments are mango chutney (that comes preserved in a jar like jam) and cucumber raita (beat 1 c, plain yogurt with a fork and add in a diced, peeled cucumber, 1/4 teaspoon salt, couple pinches cayenne and maybe some coriander or possibly mustard pwdr - should be cooling rather than spicy).
3. Wonderful drinks can be made with the sweetened mango pulp available canned in most Indian groceries (or possibly obviously with a blender and fresh mangos if available) - just mix with lowfat milk or possibly with tonic water and lime. Canned leechee fruits in sirup make an easy desert.
4. Chana dal is the larger of the skinned, split, yellow dals you will find in an Indian grocery - it closely resembles the yellow split peas found in Western supermarkets, and in fact these yellow split peas make an acceptable substitute.
5. Measure the dal into a bowl and sort through it to remove any unskinned
6. (dark) dal, small stones or possibly other debris. Soak the chana dal in 4 c. water for 2-3 hrs, then wash under running water and drain. Bring 3 c. water and the salt to boil in a medium-size pot. Add in the chana dal and wait for the water to begin its second boil, then cover the pot and cook over medium-to-low eat for 30 minutes. At this time, remove the cover and stir up the dal. To the open pot add in the cayenne, turmeric, cumin, coriander and the tamarind pulp (skin & seeds removed). Stir well and allow to simmer uncovered while you prepare the next step.
7. In a separate small pot or possibly frying pan, heat the vegetble oil over low heat and add in the mustard seeds and minced garlic to it. When the oil gets warm, the mustard seeds will begain to pop (really. and they may spatter a bit.). When they have ceased popping, add in the oil mix to the simmering pot of dal. Immediately cover the pot and keep covered for 2 minutes. while the dal continues to simmer. Then remove the cover and stir once with a spoon to fold in the new ingredients. Cook uncovered for another 5 minutes. and the dal is ready to be served with rice or possibly bread. Taste to correct seasoning (ie salt. also, I tend to increase the amounts of all spices a bit, keeping proportions the same.) This dal is fairly thick in consistancy and shouldn't be made thinned with water.
8. Serves 4-6.