Dhansak
Ingredients:
- ½ Kg. Mutton
- ¼ cup red gram (tur) dal
- 1/8 cup (3 tsp.) Bengal gram (chana) dal
- 1/8 cup Green gram (moong) dal
- 1/8 cup lentil gram (masoor) dal
- 1 medium potato (optional
- 1 tomato (optional)
- 1 small bunch fenugreek leaves
- Small bunch dill leaves
- Small piece red pumpkin (2” x 2”)
- Small piece white pumpkin (2” x 2”)
- 1 small brinjal
- 1 large lemon-size ball tamarind (soak in hot water and remove pulp or use 2 tbsp. ready tamarind pulp)
- ¼ cup jaggery
- 2 tsp. salt or to taste
- 2 tbs. oil or ghee
Seasoning I, roast and grind to a paste except coriander & mint leaves:-
- 2 tbsp. coriander leaves
- 4 to 5 mint leaves
- 4 flakes garlic
- 1 1/2 “ pc. Ginger
- 4 small green chillies
- 2 red chillies
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- 1” pc. Cinnamon
- 3 cardamoms
- 3 cloves
- 1 tsp. cumin
- 5 peppercorns
- 1 tsp. coriander seeds
Seasoning II dry masala , roast and powder :-
- 2 cardamoms
- 2 cloves
- 2 star anise
- 1 tsp. cumin
- 5 peppercorns
- 2 red chillies
- 1 tsp. methi seeds
Method
- Wash dals.
- Clean and cube vegetable.
- Mix dals and vegetables upto brinjal, add 2 cups water and boil for 30 mins.
- Cool for a while and puree in a blender.
- As the dal and vegetables are cooking, roast lightly seasoning I ingredients, except coriander and mint leaves.
- Grind to a paste adding coriander and mint leaves and some water.
- Powder the Seasoning II ingredients in a dry grinder or coffee mill.
- Take another vessel and heat oil. Add the mutton and sauté on high for 10 to 15 minutes till meat is brown and water is almost absorbed.
- Add the masala paste, mix and saute for few minutes.
- Add one cup water and cook on low flame for 45 minutes or till meat is tender.
- Add dal mixture and dry spice powder and mix well.
- Cook for further 15 mins on low heat till meat is done and gravy turns glossy.
- Remove and garnish with some chopped coriander and mint leaves.
- Serve with Brown rice and Sweet and Sour onion salad.
- Ideally served with Cutlets or kababs to make a complete ‘Dhansak Parsi meal’!