Chalna

plain-chalna

This chalna is great when poured over parotta and will surely keep you and your family eating all day long.

Chalna

This chalna is great when poured over parotta and will surely keep you and your family eating all day long.
Course: Curry, Side Dish
Cuisine: Indian
Servings: 6

Ingredients

  • 3 tbsp oil
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 inch cinnamon stick
  • ¾ cup tomato (chopped)
  • ¾ cup onion (chopped)
  • ¼ tsp turmeric powder
  • 1 tbsp coriander powder
  • 2 tsp Kashmiri red chili powder
  • 1 tsp garam masala
  • 2 tbsp cilantro (chopped)
  • 2 tbsp mint (chopped)
  • 1 cup water (adjust as needed)
  • salt to taste

For ground paste:

  • ¼ cup onion (quartered)
  • ¼ cup tomato (quartered)
  • 4 garlic cloves
  • 3 green chilies
  • ½ tsp cumin seeds
  • ½ inch ginger cube
  • ½ tsp fennel seeds
  • 1 tbsp oil
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp grated coconut
  • 6 whole cashews

Instructions

  • Add 1 tbsp oil to a pan. Once hot, add cumin seeds and fennel seeds.
  • Once aromatic, add onions, ginger, garlic and green chilies. Saute for 1 minute. The raw smell should fade.
  • Add ¼ cup tomatoes and ½ tsp salt. Cook until the tomatoes become soft.
  • Grind this along with the grated coconut and cashews in a blender. Set aside.
  • Add oil to a pressure cooker. Once hot, add the bay leaf and cinnamon stick. Saute for 1 minute.
  • Then, add the onions and saute until translucent.
  • Add turmeric powder, coriander powder, chili powder and garam masala powder. Mix well.
  • Add the tomatoes and salt. Saute for 1 minute.
  • Next, add the mint, cilantro and ground masala paste. Mix thoroughly.
  • Add 1 cup of water to the cooker. Chalna tastes best when it is like a thin gravy so you can add more water, if needed. Check for salt and spice and adjust as needed.
  • Cook the chalna for 2 whistles and release pressure naturally.
  • Serve hot with parotta or roti.
  • See below for additional varieties or sides that go well with this dish.

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