Channa Dal with Hard Boiled Eggs

Chana Dal e Dim Sheddho

This is a quick and easy recipe for channa dal. The addition of hard boiled eggs takes it from a side to a main dish, if need be. 

Ingredients

1 egg per person, hard boiled, peeled and halved
1 cup chana dal
1/4 tsp. turmeric powder
4 Tbsp. vegetable oil
1 tsp. shah jeera or cumin seeds
1 cinnamon stick
1 star anise
2 green chilies, minced
1 Tbsp. ginger paste
1/4 tsp. Bengali garam masala (ground cinnamon, cardamom & cloves)
4 cups water
2 big tomatoes, peeled, diced or 1 Tbsp. tomato paste
3-4 green chilies, left whole
1/4 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. ghee
salt to taste

Directions:

1. Wash channa dal in several changes of water & leave to soak for half an hour in warm water.
2. Place eggs in a saucepan and cover with cold water, bring to a rolling boil, cover and boil for 10 minutes. 
3. Leave eggs in saucepan to cool, drain, peel, cut each egg in half and set aside.
4. Heat oil over medium-high heat, sputter cumin seeds, cinnamon, star anise & minced chilies.
5. Add turmeric, garam masala and ginger paste, stir for a minute then add channa dal and water.
6. Bring dal to a boil, lower heat to medium-low and simmer until soft.
7. Add salt to taste, sugar, diced tomatoes or paste & simmer for a few minutes.
8. Place halved eggs in a serving dish and pour dal over the eggs.
9. Garnish with ghee and whole green chilies.

Serve over steamed Basmati rice or chapatis.