A quick and easy chana dal recipe without onion and garlic. Simple yet elegant! Since no onion and no garlic is added to this dal, it can be enjoyed during Navratri or on any fasting day. Though I love onion-garlic in my food but on some days eating food without onion and garlic feels wonderful and the best part is food gets cooked up fast. Chana dal tempered with aromatic spices and ginger-tomato tadka creates a wonderful no onion – no garlic meal. You can mix and match any dal to this ginger- tomato and spice combination. The process for making the dal and its tadka remains the same, only cooking time may vary. For me this dal was cooked in 2-3 whistles but cooking time will vary depending on how old the lentils are. For some it may take up to 4-6 whistles. If you choose to add onion, garlic to this dal, feel free to improvise according to your needs and tastes. Some people avoid eating chana dal at night because it can be a little heavy on their system. Try adding hing (asafoetida) to their tadka/chaunk and this will aid in digesting the lentils. Pair this dal up with pakwan and create a lovely Sunday brunch without onion and garlic. While you are here try other dals – Chana dal with Lauki, Dal tadka, Dal makhani.
