Dokhar Dalna ( Steamed besan cakes in gravy)

Here I come back to a totally different part of United States. Careless, clueless and friendless. And as birds of same feathers flock together, I am in desperate search of Indians in this area. Went to a Durga Puja celebrations, where  people had an attitude – who are you? And we don’t need anyone new. Guess, away from home I have adjusted well, lack of company is altered by my 2 year old’s constant attention seeking attitude. I presume the whole idea of finding Indians is wrong. The local people are friendly and probably like everybody, I too will have some good friends in this friendly city. Till then lets blog another bong dish!

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Ingredients:

• 2 cups chana dal
• 2 tomatoes
• 1 or 2 bay leaves
• 2 green chillies
• 2 spoons of ginger paste
• ½ spoon cumin
• ¼ spoon turmeric powder
• ½ spoon coriander powder
•  ½ spoon cumin powder
• Salt to taste
• Oil
• Coriander leaves/ cilantro to garnish

 Method:

• Soak the daal overnight and keep aside.
• In a mixie, grind the daal to smooth paste. Keep aside.
• In a pan, heat 2 spoons of oil and let cumin splutter in it then add 1 spoon of  grated ginger, turmeric powder, salt and daal paste we made earlier. Cook till daal separates from sides of the pan. ( You can also microwave this mixture for 15 mins).
• Grease a plate and pour the dal mixture over it and spread uniformly. Let it cool.
• Cut over for a diamond shape or any other shape you like and lightly fry them in oil and keep them aside and call it dokhas.
• In a processor grind tomato, green chillies, remaining of ginger, garlic cloves to fine paste.
• Heat a pan with a tablespoon of oil, add the bay leaves and cook the above paste.
• Add in cumin powder, coriander powder, salt and 3 cups of water. Let it boil.
•  Add in earlier fried dal dhokas in it and let the mixture simmer with the dokhas and garnish with cilantro.
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  In a heated pressure cooker, added a wee bit of oil, cumin  turmeric with a spoon of rice, a cup of cabbage also added a lttle bit of pepper. and salt.... cooked  like rice, wasn't bad at all for a soup!
  
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