Chana Methi Dal Recipe - Fenugreek & Split Bengal Gram Curry

Chana Methi Dal is a delicious lentil curry made with split Bengal Gram lentil and fresh fenugreek leaves. It makes a perfect weeknight dinner along with steaming hot rice , topped with ghee and a papad by the side.

Archana's Kitchen
Chana Methi Dal Recipe - Fenugreek & Split Bengal Gram Curry
4688 ratings.

Chana Methi Dal is a delicious lentil curry made with split Bengal Gram lentil and fresh fenugreek leaves. This recipe is a healthy menu choice for the intake of everyday protein and is also packed with vitamins and minerals. Chana Methi Dal is a fantastic way to sneak in greens in your kids diet as well. Serve Chana Methi Dal along with Phulka and Raita for a wholesome weekday lunch.

Did you know: Fenugreek is a good source of protein, minerals, and vitamins. Fenugreek fresh leaves and stems are rich in calcium, iron, carotene, Vitamin A, C, and ascorbic acid. Fenugreek has good properties for sugar and lipid control. Know more

Here are more dal recipes to try

  1. Gujarati Dal Recipe (Sweet Tangy and Spicy Lentil Curry)
  2. Dal Palak Recipe
  3. Punjabi Dal Tadka
  4. Yellow Pumpkin Dal Recipe

Course: Lunch
Diet: High Protein Vegetarian
Prep in

15 M

Cooks in

30 M

Total in

45 M

Makes:

4 Servings

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Chana dal (Bengal Gram Dal)
  • 1 cup Methi Leaves (Fenugreek Leaves) , a bunch, cleaned chopped
  • 1/4 teaspoon Asafoetida (hing)
  • 1 Onion , thinly sliced
  • 1 Tomato , chopped
  • 1 teaspoon Coriander Powder (Dhania)
  • 1 teaspoon Turmeric powder (Haldi)
  • 1 teaspoon Red Chilli powder
  • Salt , to taste
  • For Tadka
  • 1 tablespoon Ghee
  • 1 teaspoon Cumin seeds (Jeera)
  • 2 Dry Red Chillies

How to make Chana Methi Dal Recipe - Fenugreek & Split Bengal Gram Curry

  1. To prepare the Chana Methi Dal, first wash and soak the chana dal in 3 cups of water for at least 30 minutes. While the dal is soaked clean, wash and pat dry the fenugreek leaves.

  2. Next, finely chop the methi leaves. Heat a teaspoon of oil in a wok or a kadai and add the chopped methi leaves into the wok. Saute the methi leaves, until it gets softened. Methi leaves cooks very quickly and this will take less than 3 minutes to cook. Once the leaves have softened, turn off the heat. Keep it aside.

  3. In the next step, we will cook the Chana dal with the spices. Heat a teaspoon of oil in a pressure cooker over medium heat.  Add asafoetida and saute for few seconds. Next add onion and saute till they turn soft.

  4. Once the onions have softened, add the chopped tomato along with coriander powder, turmeric powder, red chili powder and saute for a minute or so over medium heat.

  5. Add soaked chana dal along with the soaked water to the onion tomato mixture. Close the lid of the pressure cooker and put the weight on. 

  6. Cook chana dal for 5 to 8 whistles and turn off the heat. Allow the pressure to release naturally from the pressure cooker.

  7. Once the pressure has released, open the cooker and lightly mash the dal with the back of a spoon. Stir in the sautéed methi leaves. Transfer the Chana Methi Dal to a serving bowl.

  8. Heat ghee in a tadka pan over medium heat; add the cumin seeds and the red chillies. Allow the chillies to roast for a few seconds and pour the tadka for the Chana Methi Dal and serve hot.

  9. Serve Chana Methi Dal along with Raita for a wholesome weekday lunch.