Navratri Festival Special - "Chana Dal Panchkadhai" or Chana Dal dessert

Here is another dessert which is a popular dessert made by the people of the Konkani community during festivals as "Prasadam" or offering to God.
Specially made during Shravana month and also Navratri festival.
A split and husked relative of chickpeas, Bengal gram is the most popular legume in India. Chana dal is delicious, nutritious and easily digested. They look and taste like small kernels of sweet corn and work well in soups, salads, and rice dishes.Chana dal is high in fiber and help to lower cholesterol.
Apart from having a great taste, it also has a very low glycemic index, which is important for those with diabetes. Chana dal can be a good food for people with diabetes because it has a low glycemic index.
Chickpeas are a helpful source of zinc, folate, calcium and protein. Chickpeas are low in fat and most of it is polyunsaturated.
This dessert is easy to make and can be eaten as a snack as well. I learnt this dish from my Mom and make it during important Hindu festivals.


Serves 4

Ingredients:
Chana dal - 100 gms
Grated coconut or desiccated coconut - 2 cups
Jaggery - 2 cups - grated

Water - 1 cup
Green Cardamom powder - 1 tsp
Cashew nuts or Peanuts - 2 tbsp

Method:
Dry roast the chana Dal till it gives a good aroma and turns slightly brown and then allow to cool.
Dry grind to a coarse powder and keep aside.

Take a heavy bottomed pan, keep on low heat, add 1 cup water and the grated jaggery and allow to melt. Once all the jaggery has melted add the grated coconut and mix well. Now switch off the gas and allow to cool.

Once the jaggery and coconut mixture has cooled for approx. 30 minutes, add in the powdered chana dal and the green cardamom powder and mix well. 

Now add the roasted cashew nut pieces or peanut pieces.

"Chana Dal Panchkadhai" is ready to be served.