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Dhansak

Dhansak is a popular parsi dish traditionally prepared with meat and mixed lentils along with vegetables and spices. But I tried making it with just veggies and it came out perfect. When all the lentils and veggies are cooked along with spices you get a deliciously good bowl of dal. The consistency of dhansak should be thick. Serve it with rice and you will have a warm and healthy meal. This was my second time making dhansak. The first time, I made dhansak masala at home from sratch but recently I found ready made packet of dhansak masala at store and it made my life easier. You can find many recipes for dhansak masala online but this ready made masala is one easy way to go :). I used pressure cooker to cook dhansak.



Ingredients(Serves 4 if served with rice)


1 cup mixed lentils(toor, moong, masoor, chana) in equal amount
1 carrot washed peeled and diced
3/4 cup washed, peeled and diced pumpkin
1 small potato peeled and diced
1 onion(1/2 thinly sliced and 1/2 chopped)
1 Cup washed and finely chopped methi/fenugreek leaves
1 tbs ginger-garlic paste
1/2 tsp amchur/dry mango powder
1/4 tsp turmeric pwd
2 tsp ready made dhansak masala
1/2 tsp garam masala
1 tsp dried mint
Salt as per taste
2 cups water
2 tbs ghee/clarified butter

Method

Wash and soak all the lentils in water for 1 hour. Meanwhile get all the veggies ready. Heat ghee in a pressure cooker add onions both diced and sliced. Saute until translucent and add ginger-garlic paste. Fry it some more time until you get nice aroma of ginger and garlic. Next add all the veggies, carrots, potatoes and pumpkin. Also add chopped methi leaves. Saute to combine all veggies together and add turmeric, dhansak masala, garam masala, amchur, dried mint, salt and mix well to combine all the flavors. Add soaked lentils along with 2 cups of water. Once boiled put the lid on pressure cooker and give 3-4 whistles and keep it on low for 5-7 minutes. Shut off the gas and let the pressure drop. Once the pressure is dropped open the lid and mix well, this dal should be thick. Serve it hot with rice. 

Though I didn't write down the ingredients for rice here is how I made it. I washed uncooked rice(I used basmati) and kept aside. Heat ghee in pressure cooker, add around of 1 tsp sugar and let it brown(don't let it burn). Add cloves, cardamom and cinnamon stick. Throw in washed uncooked rice and mix. Add salt and water, let the rice boil and then put the lid on pressure cooker. Give 2 whistles and keep it on low heat for 5 minutes and then shut off the gas. Once the pressure is dropped open the lid fluff the rice with fork and serve it with Dhansak. 
Sorry I don't have the picture for dal served with rice but just Dhansak.







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