Soak the chana dal for approximately 6 hours. Drain, rinse and cook the beans either in a pot on the stove, in a slow cooker or in a pressure cooker. Drain.
Purée the chana dal, cocoa, tahini, maple syrup, vanilla and salt in the bowl of a food processor and process until blended and creamy. Adjust to taste if necessary.
Store in a glass jar or container in the refrigerator for up to at least a week.
Notes
Save the cooking broth from the beans and refrigerate or freeze it to use later. Cook more beans or lentils in the broth, use it to thicken soups, season and drink it like bone broth or add it to quick breads and doughs.