Chicken Dhansak (murgh dhansak) Recipe
Indian Recipes

Dhansak is a meat, vegetable, and lentil curry made with pureed lentils, eggplants, tomatoes, and fenugreek leaves, but spinach can be substituted. A parsee dish, it is eaten with Pulao Rice and often served at family meals.

Ingredients:

1/4 tsp
1/4 tsp
1/2 tsp
1 tbsp
1/2 tsp
1 tsp
1/2 tsp
1 cup
21/2 cups
1/4 cup
2
1/2 cup
11/3 cups
2/3 cup
1/4 cup
1 tsp
11/2 lb
2-inch piece
6
1/4 cup
4
4
2 tsp
1 tbsp
2/3 cup
11/3 cups
1 tsp

seeds from 3 cardamom pods
cloves
ground nutmeg
ground star anise
ground coriander
ground fenugreek
chili powder
ground black pepper
yellow dal, washed and soaked for 1 hour
water
chopped cilantro
large onions, chopped
diced pumpkin
diced eggplant
diced potatoes
vegetable oil
garam masala
boneless chicken breasts, cubed
fresh ginger, peeled and grated
garlic cloves, crushed
chopped fenugreek leaves
large tomatoes, chopped
large green chilies, finely chopped
tomato paste
dark brown sugar
Tamarind water
chicken stock
white wine vinegar
juice of 1 lemon
salt and pepper

Method:

1. Heat a dry skillet until hot and add the cardamom. cloves, and ground spices, and dry-fry for 4-5 minutes or until the spices are toasted and releasing their aroma.

2. Put the dal into a saucepan with the water, 1 tablespoon of the chopped cilantro, 2 tsp of the spice mixture, the onions, pumpkin, eggplant, and potatoes. Simmer, covered, for 40 minutes or until the vegetables and lentils are very soft. Remove from the heat and puree to a smooth sauce.

3. Heat the oil and fry the remaining spice mixture with the garam masala. Add the chicken and fry on all sides to seal.

4. Add the ginger, garlic, the remaining chopped cilantro, fenugreek leaves, tomatoes and green chilies to the skillet and cook for 10 minutes.

5. Add the pureed dal mixture to the chicken with the tomato paste, sugar, tamarind water, and stock. Simmer gently, covered, for 35 minutes or until the chicken has cooked through and is tender. Season to taste with salt and pepper and add the vinegar and lemon juice. Simmer for 5 minutes and serve.

Serves 4