Dhokar Dalna

Dhokar dalna is a delicacy from bengal. One of my most favorite dal recipes. I have made this dish without alu. But you can always add alu in this dish.

Ingredients:

For Dhoka:

1. Cholar(Chana) Dal - 250 gms
2. Hing - 1 pinch
3. Ginger paste - 1tsp
4. Sugar - 1/2 tsp
5. Chilly powder - 1tsp
6. turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
7. salt to taste
8. Oil for frying

For Gravy:

1. Cardamom - 2-3
2. Cinnamon - 1"
3. Cloves - 2-3
4. Onion -2 small made into a paste
5. Curd - 3-4 tbsp (bit it to a smooth paste)
6. Ginger - 1tsp
7. Garlic - 3-4 pods made into a paste
8. Chilly powder - 1tsp
9. Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
10. Cumin powder - 1tsp
11. Ghee - 1 tsp
12. Sugar - 1/2 tsp
13. Salt to taste

Method:

For Dhoka:

1. Soak the dal overnight.Blend it with very little water in a mixer grinder.
2. Now heat an oak with 2tbsp of oil.
3. Add All the ingredients one by one.Add the grounded dal. Fry till it does not stick to the oak.
4. Spread it on a plate.Flatten it on top.It should be around 1/2" thick.
5. .Now cut it in the shape of a barfi.
6. Deep fry the pieces in oil.I use mustard oil for this dish.

For Gravy:

1. Heat a kadai with 2tbsp of oil.
2. Add cardamom,cinnamon and cloves.
3. Add onion and ginger garlic paste.Add sugar and salt.Fry for sometime till the onion turns brownish.
4. Add chilly powder,turmeric powder and cumin powder.Fry for 1-2 mins.
5. Add bitten curd and fry for some more time.Add little water.You need to prepare little more gravy than required as the dhoka will soak the gravy.
6. When the gravy starts boiling, add the fried dhoka into it.Boil for 2-3 mins.Before switching off the flame,add 1tsp of ghee.

Dhokar Dalna