Pahadi-Style Chainsoo Dal

Name: Pahadi-Style Chainsoo Dal
Total time: 1800 s
Yield: 2 people
Cuisine: Indian
Ingredients: 1/2 cup black urad dal (100 g); 1 medium onion, finely chopped; 3 green chillies; 1-inch piece ginger; 4 garlic cloves; 1/2 cup fresh coriander leaves; 1 tsp cumin seeds; 1 tbsp ghee, plus extra for serving; 1 tsp coriander seeds; 2–3 cups hot water; Salt to taste

DSK @dskcooks

Bengaluru

A rustic, flavourful Pahadi-style dal made by roasting black urad dal, grinding it coarsely, and cooking it with a freshly ground mixture of ginger, garlic, cumin, coriander and green chillies. Finished with ghee and served hot with rice, this is a comforting homemade meal.

Saved

Ingredients

30 mins

2 people

1/2 cupblack urad dal (100 g)
1medium onion, finely chopped
3green chillies
1-inch piece ginger
4garlic cloves
1/2 cupfresh coriander leaves
1 tspcumin seeds
1 tbspghee, plus extra for serving
1 tspcoriander seeds
2–3 cups hot water
Salt to taste

Saved

Steps

30 mins

1

Heat a kadai and dry-roast the black urad dal until aromatic. Transfer it to a mixer and grind it to a coarse consistency, not too smooth and not too rough.
2

In a mixer, grind ginger, garlic, cumin, coriander seeds and fresh coriander leaves into a coarse mixture.
3

Heat ghee in the kadai. Add the chopped onion and green chillies, and sauté until the onions turn golden brown.
4

Add the freshly ground ginger, garlic and coriander mixture. Sauté for a couple of minutes until fragrant.
5

Add the coarsely ground roasted dal and mix everything well. Sauté for another 2–3 minutes.
6

Gradually add hot water, stirring to combine. Add salt to taste.
7

Cook for 7–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the dal thickens and the flavours come together. Add more hot water if needed to adjust the consistency.
8

Serve hot with rice and a little ghee on top.

Tips

- Add hot water gradually while stirring continuously to prevent lumps from forming.
- Use a whisk or wooden spatula to mix the dal evenly as you add water.
- If the dal becomes too thick, add a little more hot water and stir well.
- Cook on low heat, stirring occasionally, until the dal is completely cooked and reaches your desired consistency.