Dalcha

Ingredients:

280 gms chicken breast (deboned and julliened)
100gm channa dal
100gm toor dal
30gms tamarind pulp
2 gms turmeric powder
6 green chillies funely chopped
10gm coriander leaves chopped
120 gm onion finely chopped
2 sprigs curry leaves
20 ml oil
6 no.s of cloves
6 nos green cardamom
4" stick cinnamon
5gms red chilli powder
10gm garlic paste
12 gm ginger paste
2 medium sized tomatoes(blanched, skinned and chopped)
Salt for taste

For Seasoning:
4 dry red chillies
3 cloves garlic
4gms cumin seeds
2 gms mustard seed
3gm garam masala powder

For the stock:
5gm yellow chilli powder
2" stick cinnamon
3gms small cardamom
2gms cloves
2 nos bayleaves
10gm crushed ginger
4 cloves crushed garlic
10gm onion
salt to taste

Preparation:

To prepare stock:
Simmer the chicken carcass with dry spices, onion, ginger and garlic in 2 litres of water for an hour. Strain the stock and discard the chicken

To prepare the dals:
Soak the dals seperately for 3 hours. Pressure cook in 750 ml water along with salt, turmeric powder, half the green chillies, coriander and curry leaves till tender. Remove and make into a creamy paste in a blender.

To prepare dalcha:
Heat oil in a non stick kadai, add all the dry whole spices. When they begin to crackle add the onions,garlic, ginger pastes. Stir fry, then add the rest of the green chillies and red chilli powder. Sprinkle a little water and saute till the masala turns golden brown.

Add the chicken,saute over medium heat for 3 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes, dal paste and stock. Cover and cook over medium heat till the chicken is tender.

Add the tamarind pulp and the remaining curry leaves. Cook for 4 minutes.

Season with dry roasted red chillies, cumin seeds, mustard seeds and cloves and sprinkle garam masala powder on top.Bring to final boil and serve hot with roti or rice.

Source:Femina