I seriously didn’t imagine taking such a long break. With so many recipes in the backlog, I was planning on sharing something with you much earlier. But then, days went by and with few items on my plate; I didn’t realize that almost a month passed by. Some of you emailed me asking if my health was fine or if I moved back to India. Thank you for your emails! My health is absolutely fine and I am still in sunny California. With all the workload of organizing the new apartment and entertaining a few guests in between, I somehow lost my mojo to blog. I never thought that could ever happen, but it did. I have been told, such chapters come in every bloggers life and eventually, we all get back to zone. I am hoping for that to happen soon.
Until that materializes, I will share with you some of the recipes that have been sitting in the draft folder for a while now.
The other day, as I marinated the chicken with salt, pepper and few other spices, I started wondering if I could prepare it differently than how I have been always eating. So I googled! At first, there were the common results that I tried and tasted numerous times and then, I read ‘Murg Dhansak’ - chicken cooked with lentils. That’s new and something I would have never thought of. After reading several recipes, the curiosity only doubled and my palate got tempted. So, I gave it a shot.
Dhansak is a popular Parsi dish, which is prepared with lentils (mostly red or yellow), vegetables and spices. The non-vegetarian version typical uses goat meat and the vegetarian version uses gourd or pumpkin. I decided to go with chicken.
Slow cooking is not really my thing, but with this specific curry, I didn’t have much of a choice. At the end, it was certainly worth the effort. There was the flavor, the texture and a comfort feeling. It was a hearty mouthful dish. And just like many other chicken curries, this too tasted a lot better next day. Allowing it to rest overnight gives it enough time to fuse the flavors, making it more robust.
Murg Dhansak (Chicken Cooked with Lentils)
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken (bone or boneless, skinned and cut in bite size)
- 1 medium onion (finely chopped)
- 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
- 3 garlic cloves (grated)
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
- 1 teaspoon coriander powder
- 4 green cardamoms (crushed)
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2 dry red chilies
- 2 dry bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon garam masala powder
- 1 cup lentil of your choice (soaked overnight)
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- fresh coriander (finely chopped for garnish)
- oil
- salt
Instructions
- Marinate the chicken pieces with salt, ginger, garlic, cumin powder and coriander powder. Let it rest for minimum five hours or preferably overnight.
- In a wok or deep saucepan, add 2 tablespoons oil, cinnamon sticks and crushed green cardamom. Let it infuse the oil for a few seconds. Now, add chopped onion, season with salt and allow it to cook until translucent. Next, drop the marinated chicken, add ½ teaspoon turmeric powder and give a stir. Allow it to cook at low heat for about 20 minutes.
- In the meantime, heat 2 tablespoons oil in another deep saucepan and add dry chilies along with bay leaves. After a couple of seconds, drop the soaked lentil and season with salt. Add enough water to bring it to a boil and allow it to cook until it’s soft. It should take about 15 to 20 minutes.
- Once lentils are done, mash it partially with the back of the spoon and drop it to the pan containing chicken. Give it a good mix. Add garam masala powder and chili powder. Check for salt and add any, if required. Depending on how much gravy you want, add some water and let it cook for five more minutes.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve.
Nutrition
Jessy
I've just stumbled upon your blog and I have to say that your photography is amazing!! I already bookmarked a bunch of recipes! 🙂
Ilaria
Amazing blog and wonderful contribution to Threef ! Nice to "meet" you on the web !
athena
Hi Kankana, I've been so out of the loop and not blogging anymore... had no idea you were taking a break from blogging. Hope all is well and just want to let you know that I'm thinking of you! I'll be in the area soon (well, San Francisco) to run a half marathon NEXT MONTH... crazy, I know! Explains the non-blogging for me 🙂
[email protected]&Garlic
Your photography is AMAZING.
erin @ yummy supper
Ah yes, I know the feeling of needing a break. Go for it! I bet you'll come back to us totally refueled. In the meantime, I can't believe you've got such great recipes in your draft folder!
Take care Kankana,
xoxo
E
Sneh | Cook Republic
Aww girl! I hope you get your creative juices going again. I miss seeing your wonderful pictures! Sending hugs all the way from Australia. xx
Kiran
I'm sure you'd find your blogging mojo back soon. I'm in the rut myself and have find spending less time on social media can be a breather and refresher.
Love murg dhansak -- delicious comfort food!
Pia
That's exactly how blogging is for me - ebbs and tides. And sometimes, you just need time off. It's good to have you back here, Kankana. The dhansak brings back memories of Parsi meals in Bombay 🙂
Kitchen Belleicious
this looks delicious and simply stunning in the photographs. I love cooking with lentils especially with chicken
Lail | With A Spin
Welcome back, Kankana!
I love this dish. Often make it with beef as well. Beautiful photography as always.
Nami | JOC
I'm just happy that you are well, Kankana. Everyone is busy or away during the summer time so it's great that you took some time off during this time. 😉 Welcome back! I'm excited again to receive your new posts! Beautiful photography and delicious dish!
Nusrat Azim
Welcome back!
And thanks a bunch for another rocking recipe!
Let's not talk about your pictures; they make my brain numb. And they make my head spin.
🙂
Lizzy (Good Things)
This dish sounds sooooooooo delicious! I love your recipe... and I hope your mojo for blogging returns.
Eha
Lovely to see a post from you again! Have made this Parsi dish for decades and absolutely love it: next time around and very soon shall try your version!
Archana
Glad to see you back! Missed seeing your posts! 🙂 Lentils and Chicken combo is definitely new to me.....looks like a must try! Gorgeous clicks!