Chana Dal Paratha

Chana Dal Paratha is a delicious Indian flatbread stuffed with a spiced split chickpea filling. Here’s a recipe to make Chana Dal Paratha:

Ingredients:

For the Dough:

• 2 cups whole wheat flour (atta)
• Water, as needed
• Salt, to taste
• 1-2 teaspoons oil or ghee

For the Filling:

• 1 cup chana dal (split chickpeas), soaked for 3-4 hours
• 1-2 green chilies, finely chopped (adjust to taste)
• 1 teaspoon grated ginger
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 teaspoon coriander powder
• 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder (adjust to taste)
• 1/2 teaspoon garam masala
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
• Salt, to taste
• Fresh coriander leaves, chopped
• Oil or ghee, for cooking

Instructions:

Making the Dough:

1. In a mixing bowl, add whole wheat flour and a pinch of salt. Mix well.
2. Gradually add water and knead the flour to make a smooth and soft dough. Add a teaspoon of oil or ghee while kneading if desired.
3. Cover the dough and let it rest for about 20-30 minutes.

Preparing the Filling:

1. Drain the soaked chana dal and rinse it well.
2. Grind the chana dal into a coarse paste using a food processor or blender without adding water.
3. Heat a pan and add a little oil or ghee. Add cumin seeds and let them splutter.
4. Add grated ginger, chopped green chilies, and sauté for a minute.
5. Add the ground chana dal, coriander powder, red chili powder, turmeric powder, garam masala, and salt. Mix well.
6. Cook the mixture on medium heat, stirring frequently, until the dal is cooked and the spices are well combined. This might take about 8-10 minutes.
7. Add chopped fresh coriander leaves, mix well, and let the filling cool down.

Making the Parathas:

1. Divide the dough into equal-sized balls.
2. Take a dough ball, dust it with flour, and roll it out into a small circle (about 4-5 inches in diameter).
3. Place a spoonful of the prepared chana dal filling in the center of the rolled dough circle.
4. Gather the edges of the dough towards the center to cover the filling and pinch the dough together to seal it.
5. Flatten the stuffed ball gently and dust it with flour.
6. Roll it out carefully into a larger circle, aiming for about 6-7 inches in diameter.
7. Heat a griddle or a tawa over medium heat.
8. Place the rolled parantha on the heated griddle. Cook it for a minute or until you see bubbles forming on the surface.
9. Flip it over and apply a little oil or ghee on the cooked side.
10. Flip again and apply oil or ghee on the other side. Press gently with a spatula to cook evenly until golden brown spots appear on both sides.
11. Repeat the process with the remaining dough balls and filling.

Serve hot Chana Dal Paratha with yogurt, pickles, or any curry of your choice. Enjoy the flavorful stuffed parathas!