- roast channa dhal until lightly browned in a dry frying pan. Set aside. Now pour your oil into a wok and heat over medium high heat. When hot, pour in your peanuts and stir them into the oil. When they begin to brown, add the curry leaves and stir to combine. Now add the roasted channa dhal, garlic, ginger and cumin seeds. Allow to sizzle for about a minute and then remove from the heat to cool. When cool, place these ingredients in a spice grinder with the tamarind, sugar, lemon and a little salt. Blend to a thick paste. serve.