10 ways to add protein-rich chana dal to daily meals

Chana dal or split Bengal gram is one of the most versatile and beloved lentils in Indian kitchens. This dal offers a mildly nutty flavor and firm texture, making it an indulgent ingredient that can be tweaked into many forms. It is rich in plant-based protein and dietary fiber, which helps support sustained energy and digestive health. Here we have curated a list of interesting dishes one can make with chana dal for daily meals.

This is one of the most famous dal dishes. To make it pressure cook the dal and then add a tempering of onion, tomato, and spices. Top it with some ghee and enjoy with roti.

To make this dish, soak the dal and blend it into a paste of pouring consistency. Add veggies, onion, and spices of your choice and cook the chilla on a tawa. Enjoy with chutney.

First, pressure cook chana dal with salt, turmeric, ajwain, and cumin. Cook it to make a stuffing, then stuff it into flour dough, roll the parathas, and cook on a tawa using ghee or oil.

This is a classic dish, where chopped lauki is cooked along with soaked chana dal in a pressure cooker with salt, turmeric, coriander powder, and garam masala. It goes well with roti and rice.

For this delight, soak the dal and grind it into a paste. Now, heat ghee in a pan and saute the paste for 10-15 minutes or until the colour changes and turns aromatic. To this, add sugar syrup and simmer until the desired consistency is achieved. Garnish with chopped nuts and raisins and enjoy!

To make this dish you need ground chana dal mixed with onions and spices, which is then shaped into vada and fried to perfection. It goes well with chutney and chai.

To make this Rajasthani dal treat, you need to soak toor dal, chana dal, moong dal, urad dal, and masoor dal in equal quantity. Cook in a cooker with water, salt, and turmeric, and then add a tadka of onion and tomato along with spices. Enjoy with baati.

To make this dish, soak the dal and blend it into a paste along with ginger, garlic, green chilli, and some soya granules. Shape them into kebabs and then shallow fry in a pan with some ghee or oil.

To make this salad, soak chana dal overnight and then steam it with corn, carrot, and beans. Saute in oil with some curry leaves, salt, pepper, and lemon juice and your healthy salad is ready.

For added freshness, you can mix in finely chopped cucumber, onions, or fresh coriander after cooking, allowing the salad to gain both crunch and brightness. A light sprinkle of roasted peanuts or sesame seeds also enhances texture while adding a subtle nutty flavour and extra nutritional value.

Enjoy!