Dhan = grains ( rice and lentils in this case) and Shak = Vegetables.

Dhanshak is a wholesome Parsee dish packed with lots of nutrients coming from the dals and vegetables. Cooking Dhanshak doesn’t require much effort to cook. The only extra time it might take is in collecting the ingredients. So, lets dive into the making of this power packed all- in-one ‘Meal in a Bowl’.

This recipe makes 4 servings.

 

Ingredients:
For the Curry:

  • 1/2 cup Tur Dal
  • 1/4 Cup Masoor Dal
  • 2 tbsp Moong Dal
  • 2 cups Finely chopped Mixed Vegetables- pumpkin, eggplant, carrots, potato, capsicum, etc.
  • 1/2 cup fenugreek leaves
  • 1 cup finely chopped green onion (spring onion)
  • 1 big tomato, chopped
  • 2 tsp Oil
  • 1 1/2 tsp Red Chilli Powder
  • 1/4 tsp turmeric
  • 1/2 tsp garam masala (see note 1)
  • 3 tsp corriander-cumin powder
  • 3 tsp Sambhar Masala (see note 2)
  • Salt as per taste

Grind to Fine Paste:

  • 2 Onions, 2-3 Green Chillies, 3-4 cloves garlic, 1 tsp grated ginger.

For the Rice:

  • 2 cups Basmati Rice
  • 2 tbsp Ghee
  • 1 inch cinnamon stick
  • 2 pieces Cloves
  • 2 pieces Cardamom
  • 5-6 Whole Peppercorns
  • 1/2 tsp Cumin Seeds
  • 1 cup thinly sliced onion
  • 4 tsp sugar
  • salt 1/2 tsp

Method:
For the Curry:

  1. Wash the three dals together until the water becomes clear. Drain the water. 
  2. In a pressure cooker, add the dals, mixed Vegetables, Fenugreek leaves, onions,  tomatoes, and 4 cups of water and cook for about 2-3 whistles or till the dals are soft.
  3. Heat oil in a pan. Add the ground onion paste, and fry it for some times. When it starts leaving oil add all the dry masalas required for the curry (Red Chilli Powder onwards.)
  4. Add the Cooked dall mixture and slow cook till it boils. Add water as required. This curry is not supposed to be very thin.

For the Rice:

  1. Wash the rice and drain the water. Heat Ghee in pan and add the cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, peppercorns, and Cumin. When they crackle add the onions and fry till it becomes translucent. Add sugar and cook for a few more seconds. Add the washed rice, salt and 4 cups of water.
  2. You can cover and cook in this vessel till the rice is done and the water is gone or add this mixture to the rice cooker and let it cook automatically.

Serving:

  1. Garnish the curry with cilantro and serve hot with rice, Naan, or parathas.

Quick Tips:

  1. You can use any other combination of Dal you prefer.
  2. For Mixed Vegetables you can use pre-cut frozen vegetables to simplify the process.
  3. If you prefer, you can use plain rice or brown rice.

Notes

  1. Garam Masala  and Sambar Masala are easily available in Indian Grocery Stores.