Spicy Chana Dal Fry (Bengal Gram Lentil - Andhra Style)

          This is a spicy and a tangy Chana Dal Fry in Andhra style. I have used some sambar powder and red chili powder to make it spicy. You can also add Kura Karam Powder (instead of red chili powder) which is very popular in the region. For the tangy flavour tamarind juice can also be used. It goes very well with steamed rice or as a side dish with chapattis. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare it.

• 1 cup chana dal (Bengal gram lentil), soaked for an hour
• 2-3 tbsp. oil
• 1 tsp. musatrd seeds
• 1 sprig curry leaves
• 2 dry red chilies, broken into half
• 1/4 tsp. asafoetida
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3-4 garlic flakes, chopped
• 1 tomato, chopped
• 1 tsp. red chili powder
• 1 tsp. sambar powder
• Juice of half a lime
• salt to taste
• 1/2 tsp. turmeric powder
• 1 tbsp. coriander leaves, chopped

          Wash the soaked dal well and boil in 2 cups of water for 4-5 whistles. keep aside.

          Heat oil in a pan and temper with mustard seeds and dry red chilies. After it stops spluttering, add the asafoetida and garlic. Sauté till the garlic changes colour.

          Add the onions and curry leaves. Fry till light brown in colour. Add the tomatoes and sauté till the oil separates. 

          Then add the turmeric powder, sambar powder and red chili powder. Mix well and add the boiled dal and salt.

          Simmer on low to medium flame for 3-4 minutes. Add lime juice and mix well. Your Spicy Chana Dal Fry is ready. Serve, garnished with coriander leaves.

                                     

                    Temper oil with dry chilies & mustard seeds. Sauté till it stops spluttering.

                               Add garlic & asafoetida. Sauté till garlic turns pink.

                                Add onion & curry leaves, Sauté till light brown.

                                Add tomatoes & sauté till mashed up.

                           Add turmeric powder, sambar powder & red chili powder & fry.
                                      

                                Add boiled dal & salt. Simmer on a low flame.

                          Add lime juice & mix well. Garnish & serve with rice or chapattis.