Dhansaak

Ingredients:
 Arhar ki daal (pigeon peas) 1/2 kilo
Baking soda a pinch
Chicken/mutton pieces 6-8 1/2 kilo
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 a mix of 1 Tbsp of dhania and 1 Tbsp zeera powders.

Dhansaak by Zarnak Sidhwa