Fried Chana Dal with Panir

Charishma_Ramchandani's Note:

My mom taught me this recipe. Paneer in this style is a nice change to the normal palak paneer or panner kofte. Try it, its mind blowing and very tasty.

• Total Time: 2 hrs 24 mins
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 2 hrs 14 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

• 150 g channa dal
• 200 g panir
• 100 g onions
• 100 g tomatoes
• 2 pieces cinnamon sticks
• 2 black cardamom pods
• 4 cloves
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 whole red chile
• ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
• ¼ teaspoon chili powder
• chopped coriander (for garnishing)
• 1 piece fresh ginger (1" piece)
• 3 cloves garlic
• 80 g oil
• salt
• 1 2⁄3; cups water
• lime

Directions:

1. Wash chana dal and soak for 2 hours.
2. Grate onions.
3. Chop corriander.
4. Make ginger-garlic paste.
5. Chop tomatoes.
6. Cut paneer into cubes and fry.
7. Heat oil in a cooker.
8. Fry onions till light brown.
9. Add ginger-garlic paste, cinnamon, cardamoms, cloves, bay leaves and red chilli.
10. Add tomatoes and fry.
11. Add chana dal, salt, chilli and turmeric powder.
12. Fry for 7 minutes.
13. Pour 1 2/3 cup water and close the cooker lid.
14. Place cooker on full heat & bring to full cooking pressure.
15. Reduce to medium heat & cook for 5 minutes.
16. Allow cooker to cool gradually.
17. Once cooled, open it.
18. Add lightly fried cubes of paneer to the dal.
19. Simmer for 2 minutes.
20. Garnish with fresh corriander and lime.
21. Serve.

Reviews

[fluffernutter]

Loved the combination of paneer and chana, and it was satisfying, tasty and healthy. I'm not a fan of a strong cinnamon taste in savory dishes, though, so next time I'll leave out the cinnamon.