Title: Gram dal (chick pea dal)
 Categories: Main dish, Indian, Vegetarian
      Yield: 4 Servings
 
      1 c  Chick peas
  2 1/2 c  Water
      1 ts Salt
    1/4 ts Turmeric
    1/4 c  Ghee
      1 pn Cumin seeds
      1 pn Asafetida
  1 1/4 ts Ginger, grated
      1 ea Bay leaf
  2 1/2 tb Coconut, fresh, chopped
  2 1/2 tb Raisins
  1 1/4 c  Green peas
    1/4 ts Sugar
    1/4 ts Paprika
    1/4 ts Garam masala
 
  Soak chick peas for at least 2 hours.  Drain & rinse.  Bring to a
  boil in the water & add the salt & turmeric.  Boil hard for 5 minutes
  & remove any scum that forms on the surface.  Reduce heat & simmer
  until tender. This will take about 1 hour, but it can take longer if
  your peas are old. When tender, remove from the heat.
  
  Heat ghee in a large pot.  Add cumin seeds, asafetida, ginger & bay
  leaf. Fry for a few seconds, stirring as the spices cook.  Add the
  coconut, raisins & peas.  Cook over a medium heat for 3 minutes,
  stirring occasionally.  Stir in the cooked chick peas, followed by
  the rest of the ingredients.  Simmer for another 15 minutes & serve.
  
  Pranati Sen Gupta, "The Art of Indian Cuisine"