Ingredients:
1. Pulses (Chana/ Toor / Bengal Gram) - 250gm
2. Ghee - 1tsb
3. Turmeric powder - 1 1/2 tsb
4. Coriander powder- 1 tsb
5. Cumin powder - 1tsb
6. Red chilly powder- 1tsb
7. Green chillies - 4-5 no.
8. Dried red chillies- 2 no.
9. Bay Leaf - 2 no.
10. Ginger paste - 1 1/2 tsb
11. Green chilly paste - 1tsb
12. Oil
13. Salt to taste
14. Paanch poron*
*Ingredients for PaanchPoron/Chaunk ( mixture of spices ) : This is a special Bengali mixture of spices listed below. All the items except fenugreek and mustard seeds listed are to be taken in equal quantity and a mixture is made. Fenugreek seeds and mustard seeds are taken in little lesser quantity.
1.Cumin seed
2. Black cumin seed
3. Feenugreek (Methi)
4. Mustard seeds
5. Sweet Cumin seeds
Mix all the items. Donot grind or powder the mixture. This mixture is known as Paanchporon
Procedure:
Soak the pulses in water for two hours.
Make a paste of the pulses. Add 1/2 tbs ginger paste and 1/2 tbs green chilly paste.Add salt to taste.Mix well. Pour 1 tbs oil in a wok and add the mixture to it.Stir well till it becomes sticky and thick. Do not dry the pulse too much.
Apply some oil in a clean dish and pour the pulse mixture on it. Flatten it with a spatula. Make desirable shapes(square/triangle/cubes) as shown in the picture. Make sure that the pieces are considerably thick. Some pieces may be thin. Pour some oil in a wok and heat it. Deep fry the pieces till they turn to golden brown color and keep aside on a paper towel.
Pour some oil if required in the wok and heat it. Add one cinnamon and a cardamom to it.Fry them till they turn brown. You may take out the cinnamon and cardamom. Now add the two dry chillies , one-two bay leaf , paanchphoron , 1 tbs ginger paste 1/3 tbs turmeric powder , 1 tbs red chilly powder , 1 tbs cumin powder , 1/4 tbs coriander powder and stir them till it gets fried and oil separates. Add chopped tomatoes to it(You may also add one-two tbs tomato puree). Add warm water to it and stir till the gravy is ready. Add the previously fried lentil cubes to the gravy. Add 1tbs ghee. (Optional:A pinch of sugar may be added)Cook for 10 minutes. Serve hot.
Lentils Cakes in Gravy
