Dhoka Stir Fry (Fried lentil Cakes Stir Fry - Fusion Style)

          This recipe is an adaption of the very popular and a traditional homemade Bengali delicacy called 'Dhokar Dalna' - meaning fried lentil cakes in gravy. Today I made it in a fusion South Indian style by adding some sambar powder and making it spicy and tangy. This can be served as perfect appetizers or as a side dish with either chapati. sambar-rice, curd-rice, khichdi or simply dal-chawal. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare it.

• 1/2 cup chana dal (Bengal gram), soaked overnight
• salt to taste
• 1 tsp. turmeric powder
• 1/2  tsp. + 1 tbsp. red chili powder
• 4 tbsp. oil
• 1 tsp. mustard seeds
• 1 tsp. garlic, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1-2 sprigs curry leaves
• 1/4 tsp. asafoetida
• 1 tsp. tomato paste
• 1 tsp. sambar powder
• 1 tsp. lime juice
• 1 tbsp. coriander leaves, chopped

          Grind the chana dal into a smooth paste by adding required quantity of water. To it, add salt to taste, 1/2 tsp. turmeric powder and 1/2 tsp. red chili powder. Mix well.

          Add 1 tbsp. oil in a non stick pan and saute the ground paste on a low flame till it turns into a thick lump. Transfer to a greased plate and spread it evenly.

          After it has cooled down, cut into square shapes and keep aside. Heat 2 tbsp. oil and shallow fry the pieces till light golden in colour. Drain and keep aside.
     
          Cut them further into small pieces. Heat remaining oil and temper with the mustard seeds. After it stops spluttering, add the garlic and saute till it changes colour.

          Now add the onion, curry leaves, followed by the asafoetida and turmeric powder. Fry till light brown. Add the fried lentil cakes (Dhoka pieces) and salt. Stir fry till it is well combined.

          Add the tomato paste and sprinkle some water to make it a little moist. Mix well and add the red chili powder and the sambar powder. Give it a stir and add lime juice. Serve, garnished with coriander leaves.

                                Soak chana dal overnight.

                   Grind with required quantity of water. Add salt, turmeric powder & red 
                   chili powder.

                Add 1 tbsp. oil in a non-stick pan & sauté on low flame till it turns into a
                thick lump.

                                Transfer to a greased plate & spread it evenly.

                                When cool, cut into squares.

                                Transfer to a plate.

                               Heat 2 tbsp. oil & shallow fry them till light golden in colour.

                                The fried pieces.

                               Further cut into smaller pieces.

                       Heat remaining oil & temper with mustard seeds. Allow it to splutter.

                                Add garlic & sauté till it changes colour.

                                Now add onions & curry leaves. Fry till light brown.

                                Add turmeric powder & asafoetida.

                                Add fried Dhoka pieces (fried lentil cakes) & salt to taste.

                                Add tomato paste & mix well.

                                Add sambar powder & red chili powder. Give it a mix.

                                When done, add lime juice.

                                  Serve, garnished with coriander leaves.