Dhokar Sambar (Fried Lentil Cakes in Sambar - Fusion Style)

          Sambar as is well known, is a very common South Indian lentil preparation, equally relished with rice, idli, dosa, etc. It is prepared with variety of veggies in it. Today I decided to add few Dhoka pieces (Fried Lentil cakes) in it and the end result was a delicious fusion of South Indian & a Bengali recipe. So do give it a try by checking out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare it.

• 1/2 cup tuvar dal (pigeon pea lentil), soaked for an hour
• 8-10 Dhoka pieces (recipe below)
• 2 tbsp. oil
• 1 tsp. mustard seeds
• 1 tsp. garlic, chopped
• 1 sprig curry leaves
• 1/4 tsp. asafoetida
• salt to taste
• 1/2 tsp. turmeric powder
• 2 tsp. sambar powder
• 1 tsp. tamarind paste 

          Pressure cook the tuvar dal along with 1 tsp. oil and turmeric powder in 1 1/2 cups water for 4-5 whistles.

         Add 1 - 1/2 cups more water, salt, sambar powder and tamarind paste. Whisk to blend well and keep aside.

          Heat remaining oil in a pan and temper with mustard seeds. After it stops spluttering, add the garlic, curry leaves and asafoetida. Fry till the garlic changes colour.

          Add the dal and bring it to a boil. Add the Dhoka pieces and simmer for 2-3 minutes. Serve them with plain steamed rice and papad.




To prepare the Dhoka (Chana Dal / Bengal Gram Lentil Cake)...

                     Soak 1/2 cup chana dal in sufficient water overnight. Grind to a thick paste.
                    

                          To the ground chana dal paste, add salt to taste, 1/4 tsp. turmeric
                          powder & 1/2 tsp. red chili powder. Mix well & keep aside.

                   Add 1 tbsp. oil & temper with 1/2 tsp. nigella seeds & 1/4 tsp. asafoetida. 

                               Add ground paste & stir fry till it leaves the sides of the pan. 

Spread on a greased plate & set aside for 15 minutes to cool.

                                Cut into desired shapes.

                                Heat 2 tbsp. oil & fry the pieces till light golden colour.

                                Drain & keep aside.




To prepare the sambar ----

                                Take 1/2 cup tuvar (pigeon pea lentil) & soak for an hour.

                           Boil with a pinch of turmeric powder, 1 tsp. oil & 1-1/2 cups water.

                                Whisk the boiled dal to blend well.

                               Heat oil & temper with the mustard seeds.

                                Add garlic, asafoetida & curry leaves.

                                Add boiled dal & bring it to a boil. 

                                Add fried dhoka pieces & simmer for 2-3 minutes.

                                Serve them with plain steamed rice & papad.