Pakistani style chana dal is split yellow gram cooked with onions, tomatoes, and warm spices for a spicy, roadside-style lentil dish. It’s a beloved comfort food in Pakistani homes, perfect with naan or roti.

About This Chana Dal Recipe

I revisited the old chana dal recipe I had on the blog after it received a negative review. The past chana dal recipe was less traditional, and given the blog’s focus on “classic” Pakistani recipes, I figured it was only fair to give the readers what they want. This new chana dal recipe is spicier, smokier, and more layered. But while the recipe is new, I still stand by the essay (and the photos, which I thought were quite nice) I wrote to accompany it. It’s my thoughts on authenticity and what makes a recipe ‘Pakistani.’ Many of these thoughts made their way to my book, Pakistan's introduction, which if you haven’t bought already, please consider doing so!