Dhansaak

Ingredients for Dhansaak:

Arhar ki daal 1/4 kilo

Baking soda a pinch

Chicken pieces 6-8

Brinjal, cubed 1

Red pumpkin, chopped 1

Tomatoes, chopped 3

Onion, chopped 1

Potato, chopped 1

Ginger garlic paste 1 tbsp

Fenugreek leaves (choti meethi) 2 bunches

Coriander leaves 1 bunch

Turmeric ¼ tsp

Red chili powder 1 tbsp

Curry powder ½ tsp

Coriander powder ½ tsp

Cumin powder ½ tsp

All spice powder ½ tsp

Black pepper powder ½ tsp

Salt 1 tsp

Dhansaak masala 1 tbsp

Sambhaar masala 1 tbsp

Mango 1

Oil 3 tbsp

Method:

Wash daal well and soak for at least 3 hours with a pinch of baking soda. 

Heat oil, add brinjal, red pumpkin, tomatoes, onion, potato, ginger garlic paste, small fenugreek leaves, coriander, turmeric, red chili powder, curry powder, coriander powder, cumin powder, all-spice powder, black pepper powder, salt, sambhaar masala and dhansaak masala. 

Add in 6-8 pieces of chicken.

Next add the daal and 3 cups water. 

Cover and let cook. 

When the daal is done, take out the chicken pieces, blend daal with all vegetables, till smooth. 

Put daal in a pan, add in the chicken pieces and reheat again. 

Simmer and serve with brown rice and Kachumbar.

Note: If you live in Karachi you can get Dhansaak masala from Sethna Store in Empress Market or use dhania and zeera powders.

Dhansaak by Zarnak Sidhwa