Indian Recipe:Dhansaak(Dal & Rice)

Ingredients:

1) 1 tbsp Cumin seeds
2) 1 tbsp Coriander seeds
3) 3 red chilies
4) 1 tsp poppy seeds
5) 1 tsp fenugreek seeds
6) 1 tsp fennel seeds
7) 1 inch cinnamon
8) 5-6 black peppers
9) 8-10 cloves
10) 1/2 tsp nutmeg
11) 1-2 Masala cardamom or 2 small green cardamoms

Method:

Dry roast all the ingredients and grind it after cooled down.
For Dal:
1) 1 cup Toordaal
2) 1/2 cup Pumpkin pieces (you can use butternut squash)
3) 1 cup Spinach cut
4) 1/2 Potato (1/2 of a medium size potato)
5) 1 small eggplant
6) 2 tbsp oil
7) 2 cloves, 1 small cardamom, 2 bay leaves, 1/2 inch piece of cinnamon, turmeric, Cumin - for seasoning
8)1 tbsp Dhansaak masaala
9) Red chili powder
Water as much needed

Method For Dal:

Wash the daal. Add all the vegetables except spinach to the daal and pressure cook until done (about 3 whistles) Mash the vegetables and daal after the pressure cooker has cooled down. Heat oil on medium gas in a thick bottom vessel. Add cumin, bay leaves, cardamom, cloves to it and let it roast till golden brown. Add turmeric and fry for abt 10-15 seconds. Now add the mashed daal and add some water. Now add salt and chili powder and dhansaak masaala. Add the cut spinach at the same time and mix it well. close the lid and let it boil.

Method for rice for this daal:

1) 1 cup Rice
2) 1 small piece Jaggery
3) 1 small piece of cinnamon
4) 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
5) 1/2 tsp dhansaak masala
6) salt, 1 tsp oil
7) 2 cups hot water

Wash the rice and keep it aside. Heat oil in heavy bottom pan, add cumin, and cinnamon. let it sizzle. Add jaggery and make caramel by stirring constantly. Add rice when caramel is ready. Roast rice for about 5 minutes. Add hot water and salt. Mix it well and close the lid. Let the rice cook thoroughly.