Fried Lentil Cake Curry

Total Time: 1 hr 5 mins Preparation Time: 50 mins Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 5 ounces channa dal, washed
• 4 cups water, for soaking
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1/2 inch piece gingerroot, grated
• 2 tablespoons desiccated coconut
• 2 green chilies
• 1/2 cup water
• 3/4 cup oil
• 3 medium potatoes, cut into 1 inch cubes
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin seed
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1/2 teaspoon garam masala (to garnish)

Recipe

• 1 to make the lentil cakes: soak the dal overnight in 4 cups of water, then drain off the water.
• 2 mix the drained dal with remaining lentil cake ingredients and whiz them in a blender until you have a smooth creamy paste (add a little extra water to achieve this consistency if necessary).
• 3 heat just over half of the oil (from the curry sauce list of ingredients) in a large frying pan (or karai); fry the lentil mixture over a medium heat until it leaves the side of the pan and a ball forms (sounds strange, but you’ll know it when you see it).
• 4 spread the lentil mix onto a greased plate, to a depth of ½ inch; leave this to cool and set.
• 5 when set, cut the dal into 1 inch squares; then heat the rest of the oil in a frying pan over a medium high heat and fry the dal squares a few at a time, until golden brown; set aside.
• 6 curry sauce: fry the potatoes in a large lidded frying pan until lightly browned; set aside.
• 7 lower the heat to medium and in the same pan add the cumin seeds and bay leaves, let them sizzle for a few seconds; add the turmeric, chilli, coriander, salt and tomatoes and fry for two minutes; add water and bring to the boil.
• 8 add the potatoes, cover and cook for 10 minutes then add the fried dal squares; cover again and cook until the potatoes are tender (approximately 5-10 minutes).
• 9 add the ghee, if using, and sprinkle on the garam masala; remove from heat and serve hot.