Chana Daal Ghosht (Lamb with lentils) Recipe
Chana daal ghosht or lamb with lentils is a delightful main course that can be served with both boiled rice or with roti (Indian flatbread). Chana daal is also known as split gram or Bengal Daal and is a popular and flavourful dish consumed regularly by the people living in the Indian subcontinent. The simple lentil recipe totally transforms with the addition of cubed lamb pieces and a blend of herbs and spices resulting in a hearty meal. This one pot meal is great for a family dinner or large gatherings. Isn't it exciting when we get to cook something that is healthy yet delicious!
The Major Ingredient - The Lamb!
Do you remember the last time you cooked lamb? People under 35 hardly purchase or cook lamb especially those residing in the North Western European countries such as England and France. The current lifestyle these people have adopted have caused a decline in their appetite for lamb which is really something they're missing out!
Lamb Try it, Love it
The EU funded Lamb Try it, Love it campaign has enabled people to discover the unique flavours of lamb at their convenience. The Chana Daal Ghost recipe is a popular Pakistani dish for midweek meals and is protein-packed. Additionally, the European farms produce premium and high quality European lamb using sustainable practices. The contribution made to the local economies by the farmers for producing the best meat for the consumers is praise worthy as there's nothing like fresh and tender lamb, making it an absolutely exciting ingredient to use in the kitchen while cooking.
Variety of Cuts of Lamb
I wouldn't hesitate in defining lamb as a versatile ingredient, because it can't just be used for one all time favourite dish i.e. lamb roast served with baked vegetables and gravy, but can also be used in lots of different recipes and in a variety of cuisines. Even by using the economical cuts of lamb, one can easily produce incredible lamb dishes. There are lots of different cuts of lamb - rump, leg, shank, breast, chop, loin rack, neck and shoulder but personally, I love eating the juicy pieces from the lamb shank and there are lots of other recipes such as Lamb Nihari and Lamb Dum Biryani that are our family favourites!
Lots of everyday meals can be prepared using lamb as an ingredient in just 30 minutes, and lamb is not just easily available and affordable but full of flavour too!
Health Benefits of Lamb
As mentioned earlier, high quality lamb is packed with proteins and is very healthy enabling the consumers to get all the essential nutrients, more importantly the 7 vitamins and minerals including vitamin B12 and niacin that leads to a healthy lifestyle. If lamb IS NOT CURRENTLY a part of your everyday DIET, then I would definitely suggest adding this essential ingredient to your diet to ensure well being and to get all that nutrition your body needs.
Once you try it, you're definitely going to love it! For more information on lamb and the Lamb Try it, Love it campaign, click here.
INGREDIENTS:
500 grams lamb cubes, cleaned & washed well
2 medium sized finely chopped onions
1 large, sliced tomato
1½ cup chana daal
4 tbsp oil
1 tsp ginger paste
1 tsp garlic paste
2-3 slit green chillies
Salt, as required
1 tsp red chilli powder
½ tsp turmeric powder
½ tsp garam masala powder
½ coriander seeds powder
½ cumin powder
1 small sliced onion, pinch of cumin seeds & red whole chilli for tempering
1 small sliced onion, pinch of cumin seeds & red whole chilli for tempering
Ginger, coriander & mint leaves for garnish
INSTRUCTIONS:
The first step is soak chana dal in water for at least 30 minutes before cooking. although this is not essential, but this can reduce the cooking time.
Use either a pressure cooker or a normal pot, turn on the stove and add 3-4 tbsp oil.
Add sliced onions and saute them till they they're caramelised.
Once done, add the sliced tomato and saute.
The next step is to add ginger and garlic paste.
Add cubed lamb pieces in the pot and and cook until they turn from red to light brown
Once the colour of the meat changes, add turmeric powder, red chilli powder and salt and stir well.
After the lamb is half cooked, add the soaked chana daal in the pot.
Add 1-2 cups water, cover the lid and leave to cook on low heat until the lentils get tender.
Once both the lamb and lentils are tender, sprinkle a pinch of garam masala.
In another frying pan for tempering, add 2 tbsp oil and fry 1 small sliced onion till golden brown, add a small pinch of cumin seeds, add 1-2 whole red chilies and add this in the lentil and lamb pot.
In another frying pan for tempering, add 2 tbsp oil and fry 1 small sliced onion till golden brown, add a small pinch of cumin seeds, add 1-2 whole red chilies and add this in the lentil and lamb pot.
Turn off the stove and garnish with coriander and mint leaves and Julien ginger.
Serve hot with roti (Indian flatbread) or boiled or either zeera rice.
IMPORTANT COOKING TIPS:
It is advised to soak the lentils before cooking it as this would greatly help in reducing the total cooking time.
You can cook both lamb and lentils together in a pot, but I prefer cooking them separately and then mix it in the end.
The food will cook quicker if a pressure cooker is used instead of a normal pot.
Add freshly cut green chilies for extra heat.
Cooking time: 45 mins
Serves: 4 individuals
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It was interesting to read about the different names of daal. I thought it refers to different dishes.
ReplyDeleteI've fallen in to a rut when it comes to cooking lamb for the family, this looks like the perfect dish to get me out of it
ReplyDeleteI am one of those under 35s who rarely buy and cook lamb but order it at restaurants. This meal is definitely hearty and looks delicious
ReplyDeleteI've never made my own curry before. This looks delicious though!
ReplyDeleteWonderful images, we would love to give this recipe a go sometime.
ReplyDeleteThis looks lush. I've only ever made a homemade vegetable curry before but I'll certainly give this a go!
ReplyDeleteI love lamb and lentils so this curry sounds and looks so appetising. Hoping to give this a go.
ReplyDeleteWe recently cooked lamb for the first time in many years - it just isn't something we think to buy. This looks absolutely incredible, so delicious.
ReplyDeleteWe are lucky to have some of the best lamb in the world on our doorstep here in Shetland, and I eat it all the time. We probably eat more lamb than we do any other meat! Love your recipe!
ReplyDeleteOh that looks so good! I LOVE lamb, its my favourite meat and in a curry too. This sounds so good!
ReplyDeleteI think this looks really favourful but not too hot and spicy. I love a good Indian dish so I may make this
ReplyDeleteWe love making our own curries, we're vegetarians so we love using meat free alternatives. Curry is one of my favourite sorts of meals. x
ReplyDeleteThis recipe looks great :) Really easy to follow and the pictures are really good! :) x
ReplyDeleteMy husband would love this he's a such a fan of bangladeshi cuisine!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds delicious, we are actually having lamb tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteI love lamb so this sounds really nice. I don’t eat a lot of curries or things like this but I need to more x
ReplyDeleteThis looks absolutley amazing, I love lamb but rarely have it in curry, I must try it. Mich x
ReplyDeleteWhat a tasty looking daal! I love all those spices. Delicious!
ReplyDeleteFood looks delicious, perfect comfort food for the upcoming cold evenings x
ReplyDeleteThis is my mum’s favourite dish! I could cook this for her on her birthday:)
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great dish - I think I would prefer having this with rice.
ReplyDeleteMy grandmother is from India and she used to cook this a lot. Amazing recipe!
ReplyDeleteI wasn’t a fan of chana daal ghosht when I was little, but now I really enjoy eating it.
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