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    Home » Vegetarian Side Dishes » Paneer and Channa Dal Curry ~ Lentils with Indian Cheese!

    Paneer and Channa Dal Curry ~ Lentils with Indian Cheese!

    Published: Sep 5, 2008 · Modified: Sep 23, 2020 by Srivalli · 22 Comments

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    Sometimes being a vegetarian is tough. Since I don't eat even eggs, it becomes a critical thing. Not on the choice of eating, mind you. But in terms of explaining to kids why you don't eat. I have always wanted Konda to eat nonveg. And thought if she wants to stop, she can decide when she is old enough. So every time I make chicken or mutton, I tell her that it's good for her health and she should eat.

    She gets right back and asks why I don't eat. I say I don't like it, so I don't eat. She says to eat an egg at least, that's so healthy right. Now, what should I say? Finally, I lost my temper and told her never to ask me to eat again. I know poor darling was upset but I tried my best to explain. Not sure if there were better ways to make her understand more. Anyway, that left me resolving to handle things better!

    This curry was also something that initiated such discussions. Parents had joined us for Sunday lunch. So we made chicken for everybody and this Paneer curry for Amma and myself. I didn't show it to Konda till she almost finished most of her chicken. Then she was upset that she wasn't given Paneer. After that, the chicken was forgotten and she finished her lunch with Paneer. She is so very fond of Paneer, it makes me feel happy but not at the risk of eating only that! This is the first time we were preparing something with such a combination. I remember eating a lot of Bengal gram subzi that my gujju colleague used to get. We used to exchange and I used to enjoy those subzis. Tasting this one, reminded me of those yummy ones!

    Ingredients Needed:

    Paneer/ Indian Cottage Cheese - 150 gms
    Bengal Gram / Channa Dal - 50 gms
    Onions - 1 medium / 100 gms
    Tomatoes - 1 medium / 100 gms
    Ginger Garlic paste - 1 tsp
    Chili powder 1 tsp
    Turmeric powder a pinch
    Salt to taste
    Oil - 1 tsp
    Ghee - 1 tsp for frying paneer cubes.
    Coriander leaves for garnish

    Whole Spices

    Cloves - 2
    Cinnamon - 2"
    Cardamom - 1
    Bay leaves - 2
    Red Chilli - 1 long

    Method to prepare:

    Soak Channa dal for 2 hrs in water. Cut Paneer into 2" cubes and fry in Ghee. Once they turn golden, remove, and keep aside. Use the same Kadai with ghee to make the curry.

    Chop the onions and tomatoes very finely. Heat the oil in the same Kadai. Add the whole spices and fry for a min. Then add the onions and fry till pink. Then add ginger garlic paste. Fry till the aroma comes out.

    Then add the tomatoes and simmer for 5 mins. Once it becomes mushy, add the chili powder, turmeric powder, and salt.

    Drain the water from the Bengal gram and add to the Kadai. Fry for 2 mins. Then add 1 cup water or till the grams are well covered. Pressure cook for 2 whistles or till it's done.

    Once the pressure is off, remove the lid and bring it to a boil so that you get a thick consistency. Then add the fried paneer. Let it cook for another 2 mins. Finally, add coriander leaves.

    This goes well with Ghee Rice, Parotta, Naan.

    The taste was something different and is really nice to have a different variety of Paneer than the usual stuff. I made it with both Rice and Parotta and with both, it tasted simply awesome.

    Note: The curry had gravy though the picture shows otherwise. If you feel you need thickness, you can mash a handful of channa dal while adding it.

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    Paneer and Channa Dal Curry ~ Lentils with Indian Cheese!

    Course Main Dish - Dry Sautes
    Dish Type Paneer Dishes
    Author Srivalli
    Tried this recipe?Mention @cooking4all or tag #cooking4all!
    « Ganesha Chaturthi / Vinayaka Chavithi Pooja!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. jayasree says

      September 05, 2008 at 11:18 am

      Chana dal and paneer seems to be a nice combination. Have never tried pairing paneer with dal.

      Reply
    2. RAKS KITCHEN says

      September 05, 2008 at 12:30 pm

      Dont be sorry for delayed post,but be happy that u posted 😉
      Looks yummy with those parathas!

      Reply
    3. The Short (dis)Order Cook says

      September 05, 2008 at 12:53 pm

      That's a nice combination. I think for a vegetarian this would provide the perfect combination of proteins.

      Reply
    4. Shillu says

      September 05, 2008 at 2:12 pm

      I dont enjoy eating Non-veg too. Though I love egg! I never tried making paneer with Chana dal. Let me try this weekend - I have some paneer in my fridge.

      Reply
    5. Fearless Kitchen says

      September 05, 2008 at 2:17 pm

      This looks great. I love paneer - it's a great ingredient. Even non-vegetarians can enjoy it sometimes!

      Reply
    6. notyet100 says

      September 05, 2008 at 3:10 pm

      nice combo,..looks delicious,..:-),..waiting eagerly for the roundup,..tk ur time,..

      Reply
    7. ANJALI J. says

      September 05, 2008 at 3:33 pm

      wow, sri, this sounds very delicious.. never had heard abt this.

      Reply
    8. Sharmila says

      September 05, 2008 at 10:38 am

      I have made lauki with chana dal ... but never tried with paneer.This looks so good. 🙂
      And the story is a little different at my cousins' place ...(bengalis)... the kids refuse to have nonveg and keep on a steady stream of horrifying questions like 'what part of the fish/chicken are you eating now?' and that is followed with options too.
      Their parents are almost on the verge of giving up eating nonveg now. 🙂

      Reply
    9. Degchi says

      September 05, 2008 at 4:28 pm

      I make chana dal with lauki....but first time heard about chana dal and paneer...seems interesting.

      Reply
    10. Alka says

      September 05, 2008 at 11:33 am

      The combo sounds terrific.....never ever thought of that !!
      In my home things are just opposite.....i am fond of nonveg,but my hubby and son refuses to eat...my son cant even stand the smell of omlettes....so now i too rarely get to eat,unless my mom makes some and send me over!

      Reply
    11. indosungod says

      September 05, 2008 at 11:57 am

      Valli, I am not too fond of paneer but the kids like it. This is a new combination, have to give it a try.

      Reply
    12. Simran says

      September 05, 2008 at 5:45 pm

      This sounds like a really unique way to cook paneer. Can't wait to try it

      Reply
    13. Divya Vikram says

      September 05, 2008 at 6:26 pm

      Wow.Parottas with panneer curry..Great combo Valli..And a different wayto make paneer

      Reply
    14. sra says

      September 05, 2008 at 2:04 pm

      This is quite different, have always thought of this combination, never got down to this.
      Btw, Valli, do you know you can make chicken and mutton too with channa dal? I was taken aback when I heard of it but it's really nice if done well.

      Reply
    15. Vanamala says

      September 05, 2008 at 5:19 pm

      this is new type curry sri.. nice recipe

      Reply
    16. SriLekha says

      September 06, 2008 at 12:55 am

      a friendship poem has been spread to u and enjoy it by spreading to all ur friends!

      Reply
    17. kamalagk says

      September 06, 2008 at 1:43 am

      different combi Valli..Looks yummy

      Reply
    18. Cham says

      September 06, 2008 at 5:01 am

      U re cool gal, u don't eat but make so many non-veg dishes for ur kids that is really great!
      The curry is unusual with chana dhal paneer, looks delish with parothas

      Reply
    19. Kitchen Flavours says

      September 06, 2008 at 8:22 am

      Wow paneer and chana dal must try. Looks gr8 and yummmy.

      Reply
    20. starry nights says

      September 06, 2008 at 4:02 am

      You are making me feel so hungry.thanks for sharing the recipes.looks yummy.

      Reply
    21. Spices N Aroma says

      September 06, 2008 at 5:39 pm

      Channa dal n paneer - hmmm a new combo.. I must try sometime soon!!
      I mussay that your blog is really lovely.

      Reply
    22. Bhawana says

      September 07, 2008 at 1:12 pm

      great what a combo u selected. I never had this combo so far. let me try this one :). have both the things at home.

      Reply

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    srivalli

    Hi! Seasons change, yet there are some timeless recipes you can enjoy anytime. If you are sport for it, you are in the right place!

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