Chana Dal is a healthy and saucy Lentil Dish that’s perfect to serve with rice or roti. This chana dal fry recipe includes lots of bold spices, and is low fat, vegetarian, vegan, and easy to make gluten-free. Chana Dal is the Hindi term for both bengal gram lentils (or black chickpea lentils) and the saucy dish made with it. This classic Chana dal recipe features sweet, nutty split chickpeas (also known as bengal gram) pressure cooked and then lightly fried on the stovetop with a variety of spices and aromatics. Chana dal is not quite a curry nor soup, but has a wonderfully saucy consistency that pairs perfectly when served with fluffy basmati rice and/or roti. Not only is chana dal delicious, it’s good for you, too! The black or brown chickpeas (known as kala chana in Hindi) are high in fiber and are a great source of healthy, low fat, and vegan protein. So this dish is an excellent option for those on a low carb or diabetic-friendly diet, or people who prefer vegetarian recipes.