DESCRIPTION - Chana dal is a small, split, polished chickpea. It looks and tastes like tiny kernels of sweetcorn. These lentils have a sweet, nutty flavor. Chana dal is delicious, nutritious, and easy to digest. It is slightly larger than most other pulses, yellow in color, and has a delicious, slightly sweet and earthy flavor. It is eaten with roti or rice and sabji.

PREPARATION AND USE –
• It can be used in soups, salads, curries, dal preparations, savory, sweet and rice dishes, etc.
• It is also used to make sabjis, vadas and chaats.
• Like all other dals, it can be boiled and then fried with cumin/mustard seeds, asafoetida, garlic, ginger, onions, and tomatoes.
• Roasted, it can be used as a snack and is still very nutritious.
• It can also be powdered to make besan or chickpea flour, which is used in a variety of dishes.
• Chana Dal can also be soaked overnight and then added to vegetables while cooking to give them a new flavor.

Tip: Chana Dal takes longer to cook compared to other dals and can be soaked in water for a couple of hours before cooking.

THE HEALTH BENEFITS -
• It is considered beneficial for people with diabetes.
• Contains vital minerals such as zinc and calcium.
• It is a good source of protein and is low in fat.
• Its fiber content is high and it is believed to help reduce cholesterol.

NUTRITIONAL VALUES -
• Energy (Kj) - 1339Kj
• Energy (Kcal) - 320Kcal
• Protein - 20.20 g
• Fat - 5.7 g
• Carbohydrates - 50.0 g
• Of which sugar - 12.50 g
• Fiber - 10.0 g
• Salt - 0g