Dal Chat Recipe | How to make Dal Chaat | Moradabadi Dal Chat Recipe [Video]

Dal Chaat or Moong Dal Chat is a tasty and nutritious breakfast or snack that is made by topping cooked moong dal (lentils) with fresh vegetables and chutneys. Dal Chaat can be made to suit a vegan and Jain diet.

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Dal chaat is a homely, hearty, healthy, and delicious dish that is super easy to make. It can be as simple as you like or as fancy as you like. It is made from cooked moong dal and is topped with a variety of fresh vegetables, fruits, and chutneys. It is a mix of textures and flavors. Best of all, it is probably one of the healthiest chats out there. It is also very easy to veganize this recipe.  

What is Dal Chaat?

Chaat is simply a finger licking snack and Dal is cooked lentils, in this case, moong dal or mung bean lentils.

Dal chaat has its origin in Moradabad, a town in Western Uttar Pradesh. It is popularly available sold there on the streets all day long. People have it as a breakfast or a filling meal throughout the day.

How is Dal Chaat made?

To make dal chaat, you first need to cook the dal. Wash and soak the yellow moong dal for 20-30 minutes. Don't use the "chilka wala moong dal" or the moong dal with skin for this recipe as it will not be as creamy as it is supposed to be. Cook the moong dal until it is completely cooked and mushy. You can either pressure cook it or cook it on a pot on the stovetop. 

While the dal cooks, prep all the other ingredients - chop the onions, tomatoes, coriander leaves and ginger. Deseed the pomegranate. And lastly, cube the butter. 

You can buy the green chutney, tamarind chutney and papdi or you can make your own. I will leave the links for the chutneys in the recipe below.

Vegan and Jain option

To veganize the dal chaat, skip the butter or use vegan butter or just a few spoonfuls of your favorite extra virgin oil.

To make a Jain friendly dal chaat, skip the onions and ginger. You can instead top it with finely chopped cucumber for additional texture. Also, make sure that the green and tamarind chutney are free of ginger and garlic.

If you made this recipe, let me know! Leave a comment here or on Facebook,  tag your tweet with @oneteaspoonlife on Twitter and don't forget to tag your photo @oneteaspoonoflife on Instagram. You can also email me at onetspoflife@gmail.com I'd love to see what you are up to.

If you like this recipe, do not forget to share it with your friends and family! 

You can follow One Teaspoon Of Life on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest or you can subscribe to One Teaspoon Of Life and receive all the latest updated via Email

Video Recipe

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Dal Chaat Recipe | Moradabadi Dal Chat | How to make Moong Dal Chat

Dal Chaat or Moong Dal Chat is a tasty and nutritious breakfast or snack that is made by topping cooked moong dal (lentils) with fresh vegetables and chutneys. Dal Chaat can be made to suit a vegan and Jain diet.

Recipe Type:  Breakfast, Snacks
Cuisine:            North Indian
Prep Time:     30 minutes
Cook time:     30 minutes
Total time:     60 minutes
Yield:                Serves 2-3

Author:                Anupama

Ingredients:

1 cup uncooked Moong Dal
50gms of Butter, cubed or 4-6 tsp Oil
1 Onion, finely chopped
1 Tomato, finely chopped
3-4 Tbsp Pomegranate seeds
2-3 Tbsp Coriander leaves, chopped
1" Ginger, chopped into matchsticks
8-10 Papdi or any Crackers
0.5 cup Coriander Mint Chutney (green chutney)
0.5 cup sweet and sour Tamarind chutney
Black salt as per taste
Salt to taste
Cumin powder to taste
Chat masala to taste
Lime juice or lemon juice

Method:

1. Wash the moong dal twice and soak the dal and keep aside for 20-30 mins.
2. After 30 minutes, pressure cook the dal with 2 cups of water or in a pot on the stovetop until the dal is completely cooked and soft.
3. Prep all the other ingredients while the dal cooks.
4. Once the dal is cooked, lightly mash the dal with the back of a spoon.
5. To assemble the dal chat, add a few cubes of butter to the plate and spoon over warm dal. If making a vegan version, you can replace the butter with vegan butter or replace with your favorite extra virgin oil.
6. Sprinkle black salt, cumin powder, chat masala and regular salt (optional).
7. Add some more butter or oil.
8. Spoon over the green chutney and the tamarind chutney.
9. Top with chopped onion, tomato, coriander leaves and pomegranate seeds.
10. Lightly crush a few papdi or crispy crackers and add to the chat.
11. Squeeze some lime juice and serve warm-hot.

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Moonglet

Masala Puri

Crispy Moong Dal

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Baked Falafel Recipe | How to make baked falafels | Easy falafels recipe [Video]

Easy Baked Chickpea Falafel Recipe. Falafels are usually deep fried patties made of chickpeas or other beans and are a popular snack in the region around Middle East. These vegan and gluten free falafels are made from chickpeas and are baked. They are healthier than the deep fried ones. Baked falafels are a perfect addition to buddha bowls, wraps and pita pockets.

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We love falafels and hummus. If we could swim in a tub of hummus, we would. The silky-smooth, nutty savory goodness is meant for slathering and swimming in, it really is. Hummus is something I make quite often, it is so easy to make and tastes great with so many things. My favorite meal is really just taking some roti or chapati and slathering the hummus and adding a few julienned veggies like carrots, cucumber, tomato and colored peppers and rolling it up to make a delicious wrap. Lunch, done!!

But the thing I love and don't make enough of is Falafels. These crispy balls/patties of chickpeas are so delicious, yet I've generally avoided making them because deep-frying is not something I like to do too often. But all that has changed since I started baking them.

Baked falafels are really easy to make, healthy and freeze well. These baked falafels are made from soaked dried chickpeas, giving them the perfect texture on the inside. The recipe was the batter is the same as the fried ones, just this is baked, so you are not losing out on taste or texture. 

Making these falafels requires a little planning, just enough time to soak the dried chickpeas. They need a good 8-10 hours soak to become soft and achieve the right texture. If you have this planning done, then you really don't need to do much. The soaked chickpeas are drained, and blended with coriander leaves, onion, cumin, red chilli powder or paprika, salt and oil to get a stiff batter that can be shaped. The falafels are shaped into a patty as they bake better that way instead of a ball.

These baked falafels are the perfect addition to buddha bowls, curries, pita pockets and wraps.

How to freeze baked falafels?

Once the falafels are baked, allow them to cool completely. Once cooled, you can either place them in a ziploc bag in a layer and freeze them horizontally or place in a freezer friendly plastic box and freeze. These will easily stay good for 1-2 weeks. 

To use frozen falafels, microwave on high until they are warm on the inside. I like to leave them out on the kitchen counter for 1-2 hours before I microwave. You can also pan fry them until they are warm on the inside.

My Falafel Wrap

 The pictures I have posted is of the falafel wrap I built with the baked falafels. 

The wrap has the following:

- Homemade pita bread

- Hummus

- Pickled onions

- Shredded red cabbage

- Cherry tomatoes

- Coriander leaves

- Crumbled feta cheese

The options are limitless, you can add different sauces like tzatziki or tahini or even mayo. Pickled radish or carrots will taste great too. Roasted veggies is another way to go. Mint, parsley or your favorite herbs. Pita bread can be replaced with a regular wholewheat roti or even a leftover restaurant garlic naan. Cheese is optional, use your favorite vegan or non vegan soft cheese if you desire. 

If you made this recipe, let me know! Leave a comment here or on Facebook,  tag your tweet with @oneteaspoonlife on Twitter and don't forget to tag your photo @oneteaspoonoflife on Instagram. You can also email me at onetspoflife@gmail.com I'd love to see what you are up to.

If you like this recipe, do not forget to share it with your friends and family! 

You can follow One Teaspoon Of Life on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest or you can subscribe to One Teaspoon Of Life and receive all the latest updated via Email

Video Recipe

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Baked Falafel Recipe | How to make baked falafels | Easy falafels recipe

Baked Falafels are baked patties made of chickpeas, coriander, spices and aromatics. Falafels are popular snack in the region around Middle East. These vegan and gluten free. They are healthier than the deep fried ones. Baked falafels are a perfect addition to buddha bowls, wraps and pita pockets.

Recipe Type:  Appetizer
Cuisine:            Middle Eastern
Prep Time:     8 hours
Cook time:     30 minutes
Total time:     8 Hours 30 Minutes
Yield:                14-15 Falafels

Author:                Anupama

Ingredients:

1.5 cups dried Chickpeas (Kabuli Chana | Chhole)
1 large Onion
5-6 Garlic cloves
1 cup Coriander leaves
1 Tbsp Cumin Powder
1 Tbsp Coriander Powder
1 tsp Red Chilli Powder
0.25 tsp Baking Soda
6 Tbsp Olive Oil
Salt to taste

Method:

1. Soak the dried chickpeas in water for 8 hours or overnight.
2. In the morning, drain the water completely and add to a blender.
3. Add chopped onions, garlic, coriander leaves, baking soda, cumin powder, coriander powder, red chilli powder, salt and 2-3 Tbsp olive oil. Blend to a coarse batter, you should be able to shape the falafels.
4. If the batter feels wet, add in 1-2 Tbsp Corn starch or corn flour to help it bind.
5. Shape the falafels and place in a single layer on a greased baking sheet.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes at 180 degree celsius or until done.
7. Serve hot with hummus or use in buddha bowl, wrap or pita pocket.
8. Look at notes above if you are planning to freeze the falafels.

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Vegan lentil meatballs

Vegan Turnip Chops

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Chhole Chaat Recipe | Chickpea Salad [Video]

Chhole Chaat or Chickpea Salad recipe with video instructions. Chhole Chaat is a simple, quick and delicious salad made with boiled chickpeas and a handful of ingredients. Spicy, tangy and super delicious, perfect for weeknight dinners and Summer lunches. Chhole Chaat is vegan, plant-based and gluten-free. It can be adapted to a Jain diet.

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I literally spent the second half of the 90s eating this salad and hiding it from my parents.

My school did not have a playground, which wasn't much of an issue for someone like me who hated outdoor activities. Give me a book any day. But the school authorities didn't think like me and felt we needed to play sports. Arrrghhh. Yes, so they leased out grounds at a walkable distance from the school and we were mandated to participate in all the games for our age group.

I especially disliked the sports week which culminated into a Sports Day that included parents and relatives coming to watch the finals. The only highlight of the sports week was this Chhole Chaat. I know, I took a long time to reach the point. So on the way from the school to the ground was the children's park and this old man sat outside it with a big cane basket. He shouted "Bhel Bhel" as we walked by and how could we not sample it. He used the black chana mostly and not these white Kabuli Chana or Chickpeas. He would put the chana in a disposable bowl made of dried leaves along with onions, tomatoes, some black colored spices (I now assume this was the chaat masala, black salt, and cumin powder), and a generous squeeze of lime. It was the best salad/snack I had ever eaten - spicy, tangy, and just plain delicious. More so, cause we ate it secretly. Our parents would forbid us to eat from street vendors due to concerns of hygiene, but I believe it just helped us build our immunity.

This Chhole Chaat is trying to replicate that delicious "Bhel" or chaat that I ate in the 90s. The only difference is I used Kabuli chana or chhole or white chickpeas as against the black chana that the street vendor used. But it is still equally delicious.

This Chhole Chaat makes for a perfect weeknight dinner when you want something healthy and yet do not want to slog over the stove for hours. In fact, this does not require the stove at all if you have preboiled chickpeas. I usually soak dried chickpeas and boil them over the weekend as a part of my meal prep for the week. This Chhole Chaat also carries well in a lunch box and makes for a good cold lunch on a hot Summer afternoon. I eat it as an evening after-work snack at times too.

Suggestions to fit other diets:

• To adapt the recipe to suit a Jain diet, skip the onions and onions. Capsicum, cucumber and/or sweet corn can be added instead.

If you made this recipe, let me know! Leave a comment here or on Facebook,  tag your tweet with @oneteaspoonlife on Twitter and don't forget to tag your photo @oneteaspoonoflife on Instagram. You can also email me at onetspoflife@gmail.com I'd love to see what you are up to.

If you like this recipe, do not forget to share it with your friends and family! 

You can follow One Teaspoon Of Life on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest or you can subscribe to One Teaspoon Of Life and receive all the latest updated via Email

Video Recipe

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Chhole Chaat Recipe | Chickpea Salad

Chhole Chaat is a simple, quick and delicious salad made with boiled chickpeas and a handful of ingredients. Chhole Chaat is vegan, plant-based and gluten-free. It can be adapted to a Jain diet.

Recipe Type:  Salad
Cuisine:            North Indian
Prep Time:     15 minutes
Cook time:     0 minutes
Total time:     15 minutes
Yield:                Serves 2

Ingredients:

4 cups Chickpeas, boiled
1 large Onion, finely chopped
1 Potato, boiled and chopped
1 Tomato, finely chopped
1 Green Chilli, finely chopped
2 Tbsp Coriander leaves, chopped
1-2 tsp Cumin Powder
1 tsp Chaat Masala
0.5 Lime
Black salt to taste
Salt to taste

Method:

1. Add the chickpeas, onion, tomato, potato, green chilli and coriander leaves to a large bowl. If you don't want a spicy salad, skip the chillies. Alternately, it can be replaced with red chilli powder or paprika.
2. Add black salt, salt, cumin powder, chaat masala and lime juice to taste.

3. Mix well and serve.

If you liked this, you may also like:

Pindi Chhole

Chhole Pulao

Ghugni Masala

South Indian Chana Masala

Amritsari Chhole

Roasted Chickpeas

Roasted Salad

Cauliflower Summer Bowl

Millet Salad

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Nuchhina Unde Recipe | Nuchinunde Recipe | Steamed Lentil Dumplings [Video]

Nuchchina Unde or Nuchinunde are steamed lentil dumplings from South India. The dumplings are made from mixed lentils and flavored with herbs like curry leaves and dill. The lentil dumplings are vegan and healthy. 

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So, I just read a quote somewhere, "I start my new year resolutions in February, January was just a trial month". I'm beginning to believe in that.

I had so many plans for 2019 and it has been slowly going down the drain. January may have well been my most hectic and tiring month of all time. I had planned to go off sugar, something I've been wanting to do for so long. But I just caved it once the stress rose. Guilty as charged, I am a stress eater and when stressed I crave chocolate, like any other woman on the planet. So yes, I gave in to my chocolate cravings. It also did not help that a colleague of mine got me special candy because I helped him shop last time he was over in India. How does one just ignore such a nice gesture. Very soon 1 candy turned to 20 and I had no control over myself. I had to send the bag over to my sisters. Multiple weddings in January didn't help either. February just started today, let's hope I make this one count.

I had also resolved to blog more. But I've actually been blogging less than ever. It's not that I haven't had the time. It's just been one of those fortnights where I want to crawl into bed and watch reruns of TV shows. Currently hooked on to My Kitchen Rules and Come Dine with Me. 

So what have you been up to recently? How was January? 

So for all the sugar I ate in January, I'm trying to compensate with these healthy steamed lentil dumplings. It suits all sorts of diets - vegan, plant based, high protein, low fat etc. So you really have no excuse not to try it. If you thought just because it fit all those diets, it does not have flavor, think again! Because if you are a dill lover like me, this one is all Dilly. Pun unintended. 

These nucchina unde or lentil dumplings were a breakfast my mom used to make. The first time I tried them I fell in love with them. To make the dumplings, you need to soak mixed lentils for a few hours. You can also leave them soaking overnight. Then drain and grind them coarse. Add in the dill along with coconut, ginger and chilly for added flavor. Shape into dumplings and steam until done. And if you aren't in such a healthy mood, just deep fry them to make Masala Vadas. Tastes great both ways.

No matter how you make it, don't forget to serve it along with spicy Chutney.

If you made this recipe, let me know! Leave a comment here or on Facebook,  tag your tweet with @oneteaspoonlife on Twitter and don't forget to tag your photo #oneteaspoonoflife on Instagram. You can also email me at onetspoflife@gmail.com I'd love to see what you are upto.

If you like this recipe, do not forget to share it with your friends and family! 

You can follow One Teaspoon Of Life on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Google+ or you can subscribe to One Teaspoon Of Life and receive all the latest updated via Email

Video Recipe

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Nuchina Unde Recipe

Nuchchina Unde or Nuchinunde are steamed lentil dumplings from South India. The dumplings are made from mixed lentils and flavored with herbs like curry leaves and dill. The lentil dumplings are vegan and healthy.

Recipe Type:  Snacks, Breakfast
Cuisine:            South Indian
Prep Time:     4 hours
Cook time:     15 minutes
Total time:     4 Hours 15 Minutes
Yield:                11-12

Ingredients:

0.75 cup Toor Dal or Pigeon Pea lentils
0.5 cup Chana Dal or Split chickpeas
1 cup chopped Dill leaves
1 Green Chilli
0.5 tsp Ginger
5-6 Curry leaves, finely chopped
0.25 cup grated Coconut
A pinch of Asafoetida
Salt to taste

Method:

1. Wash the toor dal and chana dal. Soak the dals in water for 4-6 hours.
2. Drain out the water and coarsely grind the dals without adding any water to the mixer.
3. Remove the dal mixture into a large bowl and add finely chopped green chilli, finely chopped curry leaves, chopped dill leaves, ginger paste, asafoetida (hing) and salt.
4. Mix well until combined and shape into dumplings. If the batter feels watery, add a little besan or chickpea flour.
5. Steam for 10-12 minutes until done.
6. Serve hot with chutney.

If you liked this, you may also like:

Khaman Dhokla

Mixed Dal Handvo

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Ghugni Masala | Kala Chana Masala [Video]

Ghugni Masala is a vegan and healthy curry made from black chickpeas or kala chana. The chickpeas are simmered in a masala made from pureed onions, tomatoes and spices. A perfect gluten free accompaniment to roti or naan bread.

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What's a better way to start of a week than with a healthy meal? And this Ghugni Masala or Kala Chana Masala is as healthy as it gets.

Kala Chana or Ghugni are desi black chickpeas. If you aren't Indian, there is a possibility you haven't seen the black chickpeas. Black chickpeas are smaller, denser and have a rougher skin than their cousin, the more popular, white chickpeas. Black chickpeas have more fiber and a lower glycemic index and make it perfect for someone trying to lose weight or just lead a healthier life. 

Also, I just love them!

I enjoy eating the black chickpeas way more than the lighter variety, also known locally as Kabuli Chana. And what I love even more than the black chickpeas? the water it is cooked in or the aqua faba. The black chickpeas release a lot of umami into the water that they were boiled in, making it perfect for using in curries. Which is why in this curry, we don't use regular water, we use the water in which the chickpeas were boiled. The water adds color as well as an oomph to the curry. 

Ghugni Masala is a very simple curry to make and stores brilliantly in the fridge. 

The curry is simply made by simmering boiled black chickpeas in a masala made from pureed onions and tomatoes that have been flavored with 4 simple spice powders - coriander powder, turmeric powder, red chilli powder and garam masala. Whole spices are also used in the recipe to make the dish even more fragrant. If you don't have all the whole spices, just use what you have.

Kala Chana Masala fits right into the vegan diet as well as a gluten free diet. To make the dish fit the plant based diet, just replace the oil with water.

Kala Chana Masala tastes best when served with Naan bread or Roti, but you can also serve it with rice. In case serving with rice, adjust the consistency of the gravy.

If you made this recipe, let me know! Leave a comment here or on Facebook,  tag your tweet with @oneteaspoonlife on Twitter and don't forget to tag your photo #oneteaspoonoflife on Instagram. You can also email me at onetspoflife@gmail.com I'd love to see what you are upto.

If you like this recipe, do not forget to share it with your friends and family! 

You can follow One Teaspoon Of Life on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Google+ or you can subscribe to One Teaspoon Of Life and receive all the latest updated via Email

Video Recipe

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Ghugni Masala | Kala Chana Masala

Ghugni Masala is a vegan and healthy curry made from black chickpeas or kala chana. The chickpeas are simmered in a masala made from pureed onions, tomatoes and spices. A perfect gluten free accompaniment to roti or naan bread.

Recipe Type:  Main
Cuisine:            Indian
Prep Time:     8 hours
Cook time:     30 minutes
Total time:     8 Hours 30 Minutes
Yield:                2-3

Ingredients:

1 cup Black Chickpeas or Kala Chana
2 medium Onions
2 medium Tomatoes
1 tsp Ginger Garlic Paste
0.5 tsp Mustard Seeds
0.5 tsp Cumin Seeds
1 Bay leaf
2 Cloves
1 Mace
1" Cinnamon
1 tsp Coriander Powder
0.5 tsp Turmeric Powder
1 tsp Red Chilli Powder
0.5 tsp Garam Masala
1 Tbsp Coriander leaves (finely chopped)
1 Tbsp Kasuri Methi (Optional)
2 Tbsp Vegetable Oil
Salt to taste
Water as required

Method:

1. Soak the dried black chickpeas overnight. Pressure cook them the next day with 0.5 tsp salt until they are cooked.
2. Puree the onion and tomatoes separately.
3. Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds.
4. Once the mustard seeds splutter, add the bay leaf, cloves, mace, cinnamon and cumin seeds.
5. Add the ginger garlic paste and saute until fragrant.
6. Add the onion paste and saute until slightly browned.
7. Now add the tomato paste and all the spice powders and cook on low heat for 5-7 minutes while stirring frequently.
8. Add 1 cup of water in which the chickpeas were cooked.
9. Add salt to taste.
10. Cover and cook on low heat for 5-7 minutes.
11. Add kasuri methi and mix well.
12. Garnish with the chopped coriander leaves.
13. Serve hot with roti or naan bread.

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Alsane Tonak

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