Durgapuja Spl: Dhokar Dalna

Last year around this time we were in Rourkela for Durgapuja. I had seen Bengal Club's Durga puja on Shivaji park every year so I had some idea about the idols and stalls and pandal's. Rourkela's durga puja was more wholesome experience because for those 4 days we were thinking about only durga puja. Morning time go for pushpanjali and prasad and evening time visit various pandal's and visit the various food stalls. Every pandal was mini jatra. It was such fun.
This year we couldn't go to Rourkela. So it doesn't feel like Durga puja time here in Bangalore.So today we thought of eating Bengali food to celebrate puja.For lunch first we planned to go to "6 Baligunj" in Indiaranagar. This is the best restaurant for Bengali food in Bangalore. Food there has such refined taste which totally negates seemingly high price.
Anyways,about our lunch today; we didn't eat Bengali food, but had homely delicious Oriya style food at Dalma in Kormangala. So though the food was satisfying, I was craving for bengali food, particularly Dhokar dalna.
First time I had eaten Dhokar dalna at 6 Baligunj and I loved it.Whenever we go there most of the time I end up ordering this dish.For long time I was planning to prepare dhokar dalna at home.Today I finally found time and mood to cook dhokar dalna.
Following receipe is from my mother-in-law in which I've done some modifications.

Ingredients:

For Dhokar
1 cup channa dal soaked for 2-3 hrs
2-3 green chillies or 1/2 tsp red chili powder
1 tsp kalonji
1 1/2 tsp coriander powder+ aniseed/saunf powder
2/3 tsp baking soda
salt to taste

For gravy
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp cumin seeds
4 green chillies
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 small tomato
3 tsp tomato sauce
2 tsp ginger garlic paste
1 tsp coriander powder+ aniseed/saunf powder
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp turmeric powder
3 medium potatoes chopped
salt to taste

Recipe:

1. To prepare dhokar (diamond shapes), grind all ingredients together with very little water. Don't prepare very smooth paste rather keep it rough.
2. Oil plate and spread the mixture evenly. Steam this mixture for 10-12 min in cooker (without whistle). After mixture is cooked, cool it down for 7-8 min and later cut it into diamond shapes.
3. Fry these diamond shapes till golden brown and keep it aside.
4. Fry potato cubes and keep aside.
5. To prepare gravy, start with heating oil in wok. Add sugar to oil and let it brown a bit.
6. Add cumin seeds to oil and let it splutter. Later fry onions and ginger-garlic paste till golden brown over medium heat. In the end add chopped tomatoes and all spices. Fry till the masala is cooked.
7. Add tomato sauce to gravey and cook for about 1/2 min.
8. Add potatoes and chana dal diamonds in the masala. Pour some water and cook on low heat (with closed lid) till potatoes are cooked. Add salt in end.
9. This dish has thick gravy but you can adjust consistency as per your desire.