Any chana dal tips please ??

Question

My first stage is on the simmer with lid on with tumeric in and 2 whole ginger pieces.

Answer 1

Dont add salt during the cooking process as it tends to make them more tough!  Add the salt after they have been fully cooked.

Also in your tarka (tempering), add some dried red chilies or fresh green chilies along with fresh curry leaves and a pinch of asafetida (hing) to the mustard & cumin seeds.  Lots of fresh chopped cilantro leaves and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to balance it all out.  You can also add some chopped tomato and some finely minced garlic if you like.  Yummy!!

Answer 2

Add some fresh fenugreek if you have some. It gives it a really desi taste. Also i love to add a whole lot of chopped spinach to it.

Answer 3

I substitute ginger with cayenne pepper and vanilla extract and it actually tastes much better. You have to season to taste though