Chanar Dalna Recipe | ছানার ডালনা রেসিপি
One of the most popular Bengali Vegetarian recipes, this ছানার ডালনা রেসিপি Chanar Dalna is quite a common affair in a Bengali household. Jewel of Bengali food, this is a no-onion, no-garlic Niramish ranna recipe which uses chena or paneer koftas in a curry.
Servings 3 People
Equipment
- Stove Top
- Heavy bottom Non-stick Pan
- Mixing Bowl
Ingredients
- 200 gms Chana or Paneer
- 1 Potato
- 2 tsp Cornflour
- 1 Bay leaf
- 1 tsp Cumin seeds
- 3 Tomatoes small
- 1 inch Ginger
- 2 tbsp Ketchup
- Salt to taste
- 1/2 tsp Turmeric Powder
- 1/2 tsp Garam Masala Powder
- 2 Green Chilies
- 2 tbsp Coriander leaves
- 4 tbsp Mustard Oil
- 1 cup Water
Instructions
- Take the Chana or Paneer in a bowl and add the cornflour, 1/2 inch ginger grated, salt and knead them all together. Once it has turned into to smooth dough, pinch off balls each of the size of a ping-pong ball and roll them smooth between your palms. You may also stuff a raisin in each of these chana balls. Its optional, but it can be done.
- Heat the mustard oil in a pan and fry these chana/paneer balls till golden. Once done, take them out and keep them aside.You may store these fried balls in an air-tight container for couple of days before making the actual dalna.
- Now, in that same oil add the Bay leaf, cumin seeds and potato cut in cubes. Keep frying till the potatoes are almost cooked.
- Now, put the tomatoes, ginger and the dry spices in a mixer and grind them. Ass this to the fried potatoes and cook till you see oil separating at the edges.
- Add the ketchup, green chilies slit lengthwise and water. Allow it to simmer.
- Drop the Chena Balls and let it simmer for couple of minutes. Turn off the heat and add the chopped Coriander leaves.
- Serve after 4-5 minutes.
Notes
- If you aren't planning to serve the Chanar Dalna in an hour or so, then prepare the gravy and keep it aside. Add the Chana balls 30 minutes before serving. These fried koftas tend to soak in the gravy. If they remain too long in the gravy, they will become soggy and might break off while serving.
- The Chanar Dalna isn't perfect for freezing. However, you may freeze the gravy and the chanar koftas separately. Right before serving you may thaw them and microwave them for couple of minutes together and they would be good.