Dhansak

Dhansak

ધાનસાક (DAHN-sahk)

Parsi Lentil and Meat Curry

Prep Time 90 minutes
📈 Difficulty hard
👥 Servings
6
🔥 Calories 400 kcal

A signature Parsi dish combining lentils, vegetables, and meat in a complex sweet-sour-spicy gravy. Traditionally a Sunday lunch staple in Parsi households, served with caramelized brown rice.

Nutrition & Info

374 kcal per serving
Protein 15.8g
Carbs 40.1g
Fat 16.0g
Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

non-vegetarian

Equipment Needed

pressure cooker pan blender

Instructions

  1. 1

    Cook all lentils with vegetables (pumpkin, eggplant, fenugreek) until very soft. Blend into a thick puree.

  2. 2

    In a separate pan, brown the meat with onions and ginger-garlic paste.

  3. 3

    Add dhansak masala, tomatoes, and cook until meat is tender.

  4. 4

    Combine the lentil-vegetable puree with the meat. Add tamarind and jaggery for sweet-sour balance.

  5. 5

    Simmer together for 20 minutes. Serve with caramelized brown rice (brown rice cooked with fried onions and sugar).

💡

Did You Know?

Dhansak is considered the national dish of the Parsi community. It is traditionally only eaten on Sundays, and making it on other days is said to bring bad luck.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

  • pressure cooker
  • pan
  • blender

The Story Behind Dhansak

Dhansak evolved when Parsis fled Persia to India and adapted their Persian stew traditions with Indian lentils and spices. It represents the unique fusion of Persian and Gujarati cuisines.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed sunday lunch 📜 Origins: Colonial era

Comments (0)

No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!