Bhuni Chana Dal with Paneer (Fried Bengal Gram with Cottage Cheese)

Name: Bhuni Chana Dal with Paneer (Fried Bengal Gram with Cottage Cheese)
Prep time: 120 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 165 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: South Asia — Muslim traditions
Ingredients: 225 g panir; 5 g ginger; 4 clove garlic; 5 tbsp oil; 1 whole dry kashmiri chile; 1 bay leaf; 1 cinnamon stick; 1 brown cardamom pod; 2 medium onions; 0.5 tsp turmeric powder; 1 tsp red chili powder; 2 medium tomatoes; 2 cup water; 1 cup bengal gram dal; salt; 1 tbsp coriander leaves

Gently simmered lentils, panir and tomatoes, warmed with ginger and chilli, a South Asian dal. Finish with corriander leaves.

2 hr 45 min · Serves 6 · Medium

Method

Start cooking mode

Time: Prep 120 min · Cook 45 min · 165 min total
Difficulty: medium

1
Grind ginger and garlic to a paste. Hat oil in a pan. Lightly brown the paneer pieces. Remove them, drain excess oil by wiping them on a clean tissue paper and keep aside.
2
Heat 1 tbsp oil in a heavy bottom pan. Add the whole chilli, cloves, bay leaf, cinnamon and cardamom.
3
Stir for a few seconds. Add onions and fry till golden brown. Add the ginger garlic paste.
4
Stir for a few seconds. Add turmeric and chilli powder, tomatoes and 1/4 cup water. Cook till the tomatoes are pulpy and the oil shows separately, stirring occasionally.
5
Add the Bengal gram and salt. Stir for 3 minutes. Add the remaining water and stir. Bring the mixture to a boil.
3 min
6
Lower heat, close the pan with a lid and then cook on slow flame till the dal is done. Add the paneer cubes and simmer for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
2 min
7
Garnish with corriander leaves and serve hot.