Dhansak (chicken w/lentils and vegetables)

6 Servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
½cupTur dhal
cupChanna dhal
¼cupMasoor dhal
cupMoong dhal
cupWater
2teaspoonsSalt
3tablespoonsGhee or clarified butter
1slice(1-inch) fresh ginger root; peeled and chopped
1Clove garlic; finely chopped
8Pieces chicken
1tablespoonFresh mint; finely chopped
1Aubergine (brinjal; eggplant), cubed
1⅓cupPumpkin; peeled and cubed
1cupSpinach; chopped
1largeOnion; sliced
14ouncesTomato; peeled
4tablespoonsGhee or clarified butter
1largeOnion; sliced
1slice(1.5-inches) fresh ginger root; peeled and sliced
2Green chillis (Cayennes?); finely chopped
3Cloves garlic; crushed
½teaspoonCinnamon; ground
½teaspoonCardamom; ground
½teaspoonCloves; ground
teaspoonTurmeric; ground
1teaspoonCoriander; ground
½teaspoonHot chilli powder
3tablespoonsCoriander leaves; chopped

Directions

MASALA

Date: Tue, 02 Apr 1996 09:21:06 -0500 (EST) From: begg@... (Cameron Begg)

Recipe By: Cribbed and adapted from a Brit cook book by CB "The Parsees are an important religious sect whose members fled from Persia hundreds of years ago and settled mainly on the West coast of India. They have remained intact as a community and their cooking is quite distinctive.

This is one of their most famous dishes, and although it is normally made with chicken, (so I guessed incorrectly) as here, lamb can be substituted.

The dhals mentioned are merely different forms of lentils; if you cannot obtain them all, the more common red or yellow lentils may be substituted." Wash all the dhals thoroughly and soak for 30 min. in some cold water.

Drain and transfer to large saucepan. Add the 3¾ cups (A U.S. cup is 8fl.

oz.) water and salt and bring to the boil, skimming off any scum. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 40 mins.

Meanwhile, fry the ginger and garlic for 2 mins. in a frying pan with the ghee. Add chicken, and fry until deeply and evenly browned. Transfer this mixture to the dhall.

Add the mint, aubergine, pumpkin, spinach, onion and tomatoes. Increase heat and bring to boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 45 mins., or until chicken is cooked through and tender. Remove chicken pieces to a plate. Puree the dhal and veg. in a blender and set aside.

To make the masala, clean the pan and fry the onion in ghee until golden.

Stir in ginger chillis and garlic and fry for 3 mins. Stir in all the remaining ingredients, except coriander leaves, and fry stirring constantly for 8 mins. A little water may be added if mixture becomes too dry. Pour the pureed dhal and veg. mixture into the masala and mix well. Bring to boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20 mins. Stir in chicken and simmer for further 10 mins., basting the chicken with the sauce. Transfer to warm serving dish and garnish with chopped coriander leaves.

CHILE-HEADS DIGEST V2 #284

From the Chile-Heads recipe list. Downloaded from Glen's MM Recipe Archive, .