Chana Dal Paratha is a protein-rich flatbread stuffed with a spicy filling made with Split Bengal Gram. You can prepare it with any dal. This recipe has a wheat flour base stuffed with cooked dal and some simple spices. In the northern part of India, chana dal paratha is usually served with Kheer during Ardra Nakshatra.
You can also checkout our Paneer Paratha, Chicken Keema Paratha, Methi paratha, Pyaz ka Paratha, Aloo ka Paratha, Gobi ka Paratha and Tikona Paratha
Ingredients
For Dough:
- Whole wheat flour – 2 cups
- Salt – 1/2 tsp
- White oil – 1/2 tablespoon
- Water (or as needed) – 1/2 cup
For Chana Dal:
- Split Bengal Gram (Chana dal) – 1 cup
- Cloves – 2
- Green cardamoms – 2
- Black cardamoms – 1
- Bay leaf – 1
- Star anish – 1 petal
- Cinnamon stick – 1/2 inch
- Turmeric powder – 1 teaspoon
- Salt to taste
- Water – 2 cups
For Tempering:
- Ginger paste – 1 teaspoon
- Red chili powder – 1 teaspoon
- Turmeric powder – 1/2 teaspoon
- Hing powder – 1/4th teaspoon
- Dry roast cumin seeds powder – 1/2 tablespoon
- Ghee (clarified butter) or oil for cooking & roasting, as required
Instructions
1. Prepare the Filling:
Cook the Chana Dal:
- Firstly, rinse the chana dal in water three to four times. Drain all the water. Boil the chana dal in a pressure cooker along with cloves, green & black cardamom, bay leaves, cinnamon stick, star anish, salt, turmeric powder and water close the pressure cooker lid.
- After cook on medium flame for 20 minutes (6 to 7 whistles) or till the dal is cooked. Turn off the flame and let it sit for 10 minutes for the pressure to release completely.
- Once pressure has released, open the cooker and mash them with a spoon and set aside.
Spicing up the Filling:
- Next, heat ghee in a pan and sauté ginger paste before adding other spices (red chili powder, turmeric powder, hing). Cook at least 1 minute.
- Now transfer the mixture into pan and mix well making sure all the ingredients are well combined. Allow to cook 5 minutes and turn off the gas.
- Once the mixture is well-cooked, add roasted cumin powder for flavour.
2. Prepare the Dough:
- In a separate mixing bowl, prepare the dough by combining flour, oil, and salt, gradually adding water until it forms a smooth consistency. Cover the dough and set aside for 15 minutes.
3. Assemble and Cook:
- After letting the dough rest, divide it into balls and roll them out into circles. Then, fill each circle with the cooked dal mixture.
- Bring the edges of the dough together to cover the dal mixture and form a ball. Press down gently with your hands.
- Roll out the ball into a flat disc, about 1/4 inch thick. Heat a tawa or griddle over medium heat. Place the paratha on the hot tawa and cook until small bubbles start to appear on the surface.
- Flip the paratha and brush some ghee on top. Cook for another 1-2 minutes. Flip the paratha again and spread ghee on the other side. Press the edges of the paratha gently with a spatula to ensure it cooks evenly.
- Finally, serve the hot parathas with yogurt, kheer, or your preferred curry. Enjoy your delicious dal ka paratha!
