Chicken Dhansak Recipes

CHICKEN DHANSAK

Steps:

• Heat 1 tbsp-2 tbsp of ghee over a medium heat in a large ovenproof casserole pan or large frying pan.
• Add the onions and fry for 5 minutes. Stir regularly
• Add the chicken pieces to the onions and cover with 1 tsp of turmeric, then brown on all sides in the casserole pan. Stir over a medium heat.
• Add garlic and ginger or the garlic ginger paste, stir and fry for 1 minute.
• Add the chopped tomatoes, stir and cook for 1 minute
• Pour in the curry base sauce, lentils and 250ml (1 cup) of chicken stock into the pan and bring the contents to a low simmering heat.
• Cook for 30 minutes, but check in every 10 minutes or so and give it a stir, to make sure there's enough liquid in the pot (you don't want the lentils sticking to the bottom of the pan. If not, top up with a bit of water or some chicken stock.
• After the chicken pieces and lentils are cooked, add 1 tsp of curry powder, 1 tsp of garam masala, 1 tsp of chilli powder (optional), ground coriander, pineapple juice (or lemon juice) and pineapple and give it a stir.
• Simmer for another 5-10 minutes on a low to medium heat.
• Serve with your favourite Indian side dishes. It freezes well too. Enjoy!

CHICKEN DHANSAK

Steps:

• Cut chicken breasts in two and sever the legs at the joint.
• With the salt mash the ginger and garlic to a pulp.
• In a grinder mix together the coriander seeds, cumin seeds, fennel seeds, cardamoms, cinnamon stick, dried chillies, peppercorns, bay leaves, fenugreek seeds, and the mustard seed. Mix in 6 tbsp water to make a past, add the garlic and ginger pulp mix well and add to the chicken, making sure that the meat is well coated. Refrigerate overnight.
• In a large pan melt the ghee over medium heat and fry the chicken with any juices for about 10 minutes.
• Add the water, bring to the boil and simmer covered for 20 minutes. Turn off the heat.
• Mix the split peas and lentils together and wash them till the water runs clear. Drain them.
• Heat the oil in another pan and fry the onions till just golden.
• Add the turmeric and garam masala, cook for 1 min, add the lentils and cook over low heat for 5 minutes.
• Add the water and salt bring to the boil, reduce the heat and cook for 30 minutes.
• Mash the dhal to make a smooth sloppy mixture and add this to the pan with the chicken inches.
• Bring to the boil, reduce the heat and cook for 30 mins,stirring to make sure that it does not stick or burn.
• Dissolve the tamarind in a little hot water and add this to the pan cook for 3 minutes.
• Serve with boiled rice and a good chutney.