Crispy chana dal recipe

The New Year is upon us and I find myself wanting to eat healthier after over-indulging during the Christmas period.

This morning I've been perusing favourite websites and recipe books, getting inspired and menu planning for the coming week.

I really should have done it yesterday, before the big grocery shop that restocked our cupboards after the holidays.

But I didn't.

So now I'm making do and getting creative with what I have, which is actually quite fun.

I was checking out this lovely looking soup recipe by Andie Mitchell and wanted to make it, but realised I don't have chickpeas in the house. I do, however, have frozen chana dal in the freezer, so I pulled that out and made this delicious crispy chana dal.

Ingredients

• 2c cooked chana dal* (or tinned chickpeas)
• 2T olive oil
• 2t ground cumin
• 2t dried oregano
• 1t smoked paprika
• 2t ground dried onion
• sea salt to taste

(Feel free to experiment with the herbs and spices you love.)

Method

1. Preheat oven to 200°C / 400°F.
2. Drain chana dal (or tinned chickpeas) and pat dry with a paper towel.
3. In a bowl mix chana dal with 2T olive oil, 2t ground cumin, 2t dried oregano, 1t ground smoked paprika, 2t ground dried onion and sea salt to taste.
4. Spread in a single layer on an oven tray and bake at 200°C / 400°F for around 30 minutes or until crispy but not burnt. Stir and flip once during cooking. 

Allow to dry and store in an airtight container. Use as a garnish on soups and salads.

I'm off to eat my delicious soup topped with crispy chana dal.

* How to cook dry chana dal
Sort and rinse before cooking. Add 2-1/2 cups of water for every 1 cup of Chana Dal Beans. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer 25-35 minutes.