Chana dal with spinach and rice

John and I made this Chana dal in the Instant Pot on Sunday because I was having an out-patient surgical procedure on Monday and knew that a dinner that was pre-made would work best. Plus, I think Chana dal tastes even better the second day! We made a double recipe so it will be our dinner on Saturday’s leftovers night.

Here is the recipe that we use. The canned tomatoes with chiles lends a nice mild spiciness.

Chana Dal

Ingredients

1 cup Split Chickpeas 

2 cups Water for soaking

2 tsp. Oil

1 tsp Cumin seeds 

3/4 cup Onion diced

1/2 tbsp Ginger minced

3 cloves Garlic minced

1 can petite diced tomatoes with jalapeños (or plain)

1.5 cups Water for cooking

1 tbsp Lime juice

Spices

  1 tsp Salt

  1/4 tsp Ground Turmeric (Haldi powder)

  1/2 tsp Red Chili powder (Mirchi powder)

  1 tsp Coriander powder (Dhaniya powder)

Cilantro

Instructions

Soak split chickpeas in the water for soaking for 30 minutes. 

Start the instant pot in sauté mode and heat oil in it. Add cumin seeds.

Once the cumin seeds start to change color, add the onions, garlic, ginger and saute for 2 minutes. 

Add tomatoes and spices and stir them well. Drain split chickpeas and add along with water for cooking. Stir it all up. Set to pressure cook for 15 minutes and close the lid with vent in sealing position.

After the instant pot beeps, let the pressure release naturally. Add lime juice and give a good stir. If you are using greens (spinach, kale, etc,) stir them in now, cover the pot, and wait 5 minutes before serving.

Garnish with cilantro and serve over rice.

Here is the recipe we use. The tomatoes with chiles give it a nice mild spiciness.