Ingredients:

• 1 cup – black gram dal seeds
• 4-5 Cloves – Garlic
• 1 tsp – Cumin seeds
• 4 – black pepper
• 4-5 – red chillies, whole
• 1/2 tsp – coriander powder
• 1/4 tsp – Turmeric powder
• 1/2 tsp – Red Chilli powder
• 1/2 tsp – Garam Masala
• 1/2 cup – oil (preferably mustard oil)
• 3 cups – water
• a pinch of Asafoetida
• 3 tsp – salt
• Ghee and Coriander leaves for garnishing

Method:

1. Heat a kadhai on moderate flame. Dry-roast the dal for about 3-5 minutes until it emanates an aroma (do not over roast). Take off the flame.
2. Grind the roasted seeds into a coarse powder.
3. Heat oil in a kadhai and add the garlic cloves. When the cloves turn light brown, add cumin seeds, red chillies, black pepper and asafoetida.
4. Immediately add the powdered dal and fry for 1-2 minutes.
5. Add turmeric powder, dry coriander powder, red chilli powder, salt and water. Bring to boil.
6. Cover and cook until the dal becomes very soft. Let the mixture simmer for 20-30 minutes.
7. Before taking off the heat, sprinkle garam masala over the chainsoo.
8. Garnish with pure ghee and chopped coriander leaves.
9. Serve with hot steamed rice.

Recipe courtesy of Nitu Singh