Chana Dal Recipe Slow Cooker

Published January 30, 2012. By

We had an unusual (for here) snow storm about a week ago which was followed by an ice storm, a wind storm and another snow storm all the while getting pounded with a continuous blast of arctic air. I had enough sense to get my arse to the grocery storm right before it hit, but nobody expected that we would all be stuck in as long as we were. By the end of the week, the fridge and pantry were, of course, looking quite bare. We all had to eat and with no way to get to the store, it was time to bust out my slow cooker and get creative.

I have been itching to use this ground Fenugreek seed that my friend Andrea sent me for the Holidays. We have a small group of moms who are scattered all over the US and Canada who have stuck together since having our kids a couple of years ago. We do a fun secret Santa every year. Andrea knows how much I love to experiment with new flavors so she threw in a couple of spices from Penzey's like a (much appreciated) surprise!

This soup was born of out necessity but is now a freezer staple. It is extremely easy (hello slow cooker), makes the house smell fantastic while simmering away and yields six 2-cup servings!

NOTES:

Chana Dal are beans. They are a cousin of chickpeas (garbanzo beans). I saw them on sale at Whole Foods and bought some to stash in the pantry. This link is a great resource to learn more about their origin, nutritional profile and where to buy if you don't see them at Whole Foods, your local Indian Store or in bulk at the natural grocer.
TIP: If you don't usually use the spices in this recipe, just buy what you need from the bulk section instead of picking up jars of each one.
My slow cooker is 6.5 Quarts. I think a 5 or 5.5 Quart would also work for this recipe.
I was home so I cooked this soup on HIGH for 4 hours, alternatively you could cook it on LOW for 8 hours.

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5 mins

4 hrs

4 hrs 5 mins

Chana Dal Soup. Slow Cooker Chana Dal Soup with Spinach. Vegan.

Course: Mains, Soups

Cuisine: Indian

Keyword: Slow Cooker Chana Dal Soup with Spinach

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 345 kcal

2 teaspoons canola oil
2 small yellow onions or 1 large, chopped
6 cloves garlic chopped
3 inch piece ginger root peeled and chopped
2 cups chana dal rinsed and picked over
4 cups broth
2 cups water
15 ounce can of light coconut milk
14.5 ounce can of crushed tomatoes
2 dried chilies
1 tablespoon garam masala
1 tablespoon curry powder
2 teaspoons kosher salt
2 teaspoons turmeric
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon mustard powder
1 teaspoon ground fenugreek seed
6 ounces organic baby spinach

To Prepare:

Grab your onion, garlic and ginger.
Be sure to pick over your dry beans and give them a good rinse. Measure out spices and set aside.

To Cook:

Heat a medium frying pan over medium heat, once hot, add oil and then onion mixture. Cook approximately five minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add spice mixture, cook 1 minute stirring constantly.
Remove from heat and add to slow cooker along with chana dal, broth, water, coconut milk, and crushed tomatoes. Set to cook on HIGH for 4 Hours.
Add baby spinach in for last 15 minutes of cooking time.

Nutrition Facts

Chana Dal with Spinach Soup {Slow Cooker}

Amount Per Serving (2 Cups)

Calories 345 Calories from Fat 81

% Daily Value*

Fat 9g 14%

Saturated Fat 4g 25%

Sodium 1582mg 69%

Potassium 483mg 14%

Carbohydrates 54g 18%

Fiber 18g 75%

Sugar 7g 8%

Protein 12g 24%

Vitamin A 3200IU 64%

Vitamin C 18.2mg 22%

Calcium 185mg 19%

Iron 5.5mg 31%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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