Chaunsa is a staple food of Uttarakhand. It is a protein-rich Garhwali recipe and was designed to boost energy and give the locals a warming dish to enjoy in the face of cold weather. The dish is made by roasting and grinding the dal for a more complex flavour and smoother textured dal which is then mixed with a variety of spices. It is one of the quickest, very simple dal that you can prepare, even on a very busy day.

Ingredients

1. Urad dal 

2. Ginger

3. Green chilli

4. Garlic

5. Coriander seeds

6. Cumin seeds and 

7. Black pepper

8. Mustard oil, 

9. Mustard seeds

10. Asafoetida

11. Whole red chillies 

12. Wheat flour

13. Turmeric

14. Coriander powder

15. Water

16. Salt 

Method

1. Dry roast the split black urad dal in an iron kadhai. Make sure to dry roast in medium heat so you don't burn the lentils.

2. Let the roasted urad dal cool down and then grind it without adding any water.

3. The texture of the grind dal shouldn't be completely powdery.

4. In a motor pestle, pound some fresh ginger, garlic, green chilli, garlic, coriander seeds, cumin seeds and black pepper.

5. In a heavy bottom pan, heat mustard oil, mustard seeds, asafoetida, whole red chillies and ground spices.

6. Let it sizzle for a few seconds. Add the pounded garlic, ginger and pepper. Stir and cook for 1 minute.

7. Add the powdered dal and fry for 1-2 minutes.

8. Add a cup of wheat flour as soon as the flour is roasted. 

9. Add turmeric powder, dry coriander powder and water. 

10. Pour enough water and salt. Stir it around. Let it simmer for 5 minutes.

11. Your super healthy Dal Chausa is ready. Serve chaunsa dal warm with rice.