Chana dhal curry!

This dhal curry can basically be used for any dhal be it pea ,chana or red lentils it will suffice . I love chana dhal , and this recipe was shared with me by my neighbour (back in Newcastle ) , Auntie Zaynab , a warm and friendly lady who simply loved her kitchen and cooked every single day with so much enthuisiasm and love for her family , she didnt believe in 'slap dash foods" as she would call it , cooking in a hurry !

Remember to lay dhal in water the night before cooking , especially chana dhal .

Ingredients :

2 cups dhal ( boil till very soft almost mushy )

lamb pieces

2 large onions

1 green chillie

1 tsp crushed chillies

1 tsp dhania

1 tsp jeera

1 tsp turmeric

1 tsp garlic

1 tsp ginger

stick cinnamon(3 pieces)

cardomon (4)

allspice (3)

cloves(3)

2 tsp leaf masala

1 tsp roasted masala (packo)

1 tsp gharam masala

dhanya

2 tsp whole jeera

butter

1 large tomato

Method:

Braise onions with oil ,add garlic and ginger .When slightly brown and soft add all the spices , tomato , except whole jeera , butter ,green chillie ,gharam masala and dhanya .Add about half cup of water and braise for about 5 minutes before adding your meat ( chicken can also be used ).Add your dhal after ten minutes (dhal must be cooked nice and soft) ,add about two cups of water at this stage , and let it cook through on medium heat , ensuring that it has sufficient water all the time .(remember dhal needs to be stirred every few minutes as not to stick to bottom of the pot !). Let food cook for about 45 minutes put on low heat , then in another pan heat a piece of pure butter when hot add chillie and jeera , then add your chopped up dhanya and gharam masala . After about ten minutes take this mixture and add it to the dhal food . This will automatically enhance the flavour/taste of the food , believe me !Let this simmer through for about 15 minutes on very low heat , thereafter you may say Biesmillaah !Soooo luvly with rooti or basmati rice !Enjoy !

Rushaan

1 tsp