Dhokar Danla

"Nive, is there any recipe you want to share with the world?" I ask my chud bud, Nivedita.
"Recipe for friendship," says the budding philosopher.
"Ok, send me step by step pictures of your friendship recipe."
 She sends a smiley! 

Nive & I go back to when civilization started. We went to school, college & uni together. Apart from other things, she taught me how to be driven. I taught her how to kill mosquitoes. The only thing I've driven is my K10 & Nive's  posh office & swanky home don't have mosquitoes. That has not created any bad blood. If anything the bond has only deepened with time.


We have spent birthdays & regular days together; we've had our Kaju barfi & golgappa competitions; our soul chats & what not. Nive loved Ma's cooking & aspired to open a dhaba with her after she retired. Both would retire thirty years apart. Not trusting such plans, I opened my Food Stall instead. 


This is from mom's kitchen, Dhokar Danla. A dish made of chana dal. An excellent vegetarian fare. As I wait for the friendship recipe pics, you guys take a look here :)


Ingredients:
The Dhoka Batter
1. Chana dal- 1 cup
2. Zeera,dhania,adrak paste-1tsp
3. Red Chilli Powder & Salt - to taste
The Gravy
1. Cubed Potaoes - 1 cup
2. Spices:
i. Tej patta(bay leaf)- 2-3
ii. Zeera(cumin seeds)paste- 1tsp 
iii. Adrak(ginger)paste- 1tsp 
iv. Dhania (coriander) paste- 1tsp 
v. Haldi (turmeric)- 3/4tsp
vi.Mirchi(red chilli) powder- to taste
vii. Garam Masala Powder(for flavour)
3.Sugar- 1tsp(if preferred)
4. Salt- to taste
5. Oil(preferably mustard)- to cook
6. Ghee- 1tsp(for flavour)

How to : Dhoka

• Soak chana dal(gram lentil) overnight.
• Grind in mixie to make fine paste. 
• In 2-3tbsp oil, fry zeera,dhania,adrak paste,red chilli powder & salt, till oil leaves pan.
• Fry the chana batter in this masala till water dries.
• Grease a thali/pan & spread out the batter. Roll with a rolling pin for a smooth texture.
• When cold, cut into slices(see pic)

Tip: Cut the dhoka slices only after chana dal mixture cools & solidifies.

•     Deep fry the chana dal cubes in hot oil.
•     Fry till golden brown.
•     Keep aside till all are done.

How to : Gravy

• In hot oil, put the bay leaves & fry for 10 secs.
• Saute the cubed potatoes for 2-3 mins
• Add the zeera, adrak, dhania paste & fry till aroma wafts
• Mix the chilli powder & turmeric powder & fry for 1min
• Add salt & sugar to taste
• Add 3-4 cups water & let potato cook in it for 10mins on medium flame. 
• As potato softens, put in dhoka, simmer fr 5-7 mins.
• Put a tsp of ghee & garam masala each & take off flame.

Dhokar Dalna is ready to be served.



Insight: Let sufficient water remain in the gravy as you take it off flame.
The chana dal soaks up a lot of water.


Goes best with rice.








Nive, we're waiting for the dosti recipe :)
With pics, please !