Best 2 Dhanshak Parsi Cornish Hens Braised In Spiced Pumpkin Lentil Puree Recipes

Dhanshak Parsi Cornish Hens Braised in Spiced Pumpkin Lentil Puree is a flavorful and aromatic dish that combines the rich flavors of Indian spices with the tender texture of Cornish hens. This dish is perfect for a special occasion or a weeknight meal. The hens are marinated in a blend of yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, turmeric, and garam masala, then braised in a spiced pumpkin lentil puree until fall-off-the-bone tender. Serve with rice or naan bread for a complete meal.

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DHANSHAK (PARSI CORNISH HENS BRAISED IN SPICED PUMPKIN-LENTIL PUREE)

Dhanshak (Parsi Cornish Hens Braised In Spiced Pumpkin-Lentil Puree) image

Provided by Julie Sahni

Categories dinner, casseroles, main course

Time 40m

Yield Six servings

Number Of Ingredients 17

Ingredients

3/4 cup masar dal (red lentils), picked clean and rinsed
2 1/2 cups water
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground fennel
1 teaspoon cayenne, or more to taste
1 1/2 teaspoons turmeric
2 teaspoons coarse salt
1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, loosely packed
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, loosely packed, or 2 tablespoons dried coriander leaves
1 1-inch cube fresh ginger, peeled and chopped coarse
4 large cloves garlic, peeled and chopped coarse
3 Cornish hens, skinned, trimmed of excess fat and halved, or 1 3 1/2-pound chicken, cut into 6 to 8 pieces
1 1/2 cups chopped eggplant, skin on
1 1/2 cups peeled, seeded pumpkin or butternut squash, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 cup chopped onion
3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro for garnish

Steps:

Layer all of the above ingredients, in the order listed, in a 5-quart microwave-proof casserole dish. Cover and cook at 100 percent power in a 650- to 700-watt microwave carousel oven for 35 minutes, or until the Cornish hens are tender and the lentils soft. Remove from the oven.
Remove the hens and arrange them in a heated deep serving dish. Cover with aluminum foil to keep them warm.
Meanwhile, transfer the vegetables and their liquid to a food processor and puree. You may have to work in batches. Do not overprocess: a little texture adds to the character of the sauce. Pour the sauce over the hens. Garnish with the fresh cilantro and serve.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 470, UnsaturatedFat 15 grams, Carbohydrate 26 grams, Fat 24 grams, Fiber 5 grams, Protein 36 grams, SaturatedFat 7 grams, Sodium 744 milligrams, Sugar 3 grams, TransFat 0 grams

CHICKEN DHANSAK

Chicken Dhansak image

A delicious chicken dhansak curry recipe with lentils and sweet and sour flavours from the addition of fresh pineapple.

Provided by Michelle Minnaar

Categories Curry

Time 55m

Number Of Ingredients 17

Ingredients

15-30ml (1 tbsp-2 tbsp) ghee (can use 1 tbsp sunflower oil, vegetable oil or coconut oil
5ml (1 tsp) ground turmeric
1kg (2lbs) chicken breasts, chopped
2 onions, finely chopped
4 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
5cm (2in) ginger root, peeled and grated
200g (1 cup) split red lentils, green lentils or brown lentils, washed
400g chopped tomatoes
500ml (2 cups) curry base sauce
250ml (1 cup) chicken stock or water
5ml (1 tsp) curry powder
5ml (1 tsp) garam masala
5ml (1 tsp) ground coriander
5ml (1 tsp) chilli powder (optional)
125ml (½ cup) pineapple juice
½ pineapple, cored and sliced
Salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

Heat 1 tbsp-2 tbsp of ghee over a medium heat in a large ovenproof casserole pan or large frying pan.
Add the onions and fry for 5 minutes. Stir regularly
Add the chicken pieces to the onions and cover with 1 tsp of turmeric, then brown on all sides in the casserole pan. Stir over a medium heat.
Add garlic and ginger or the garlic ginger paste, stir and fry for 1 minute.
Add the chopped tomatoes, stir and cook for 1 minute
Pour in the curry base sauce, lentils and 250ml (1 cup) of chicken stock into the pan and bring the contents to a low simmering heat.
Cook for 30 minutes, but check in every 10 minutes or so and give it a stir, to make sure there's enough liquid in the pot (you don't want the lentils sticking to the bottom of the pan. If not, top up with a bit of water or some chicken stock.
After the chicken pieces and lentils are cooked, add 1 tsp of curry powder, 1 tsp of garam masala, 1 tsp of chilli powder (optional), ground coriander, pineapple juice (or lemon juice) and pineapple and give it a stir.
Simmer for another 5-10 minutes on a low to medium heat.
Serve with your favourite Indian side dishes. It freezes well too. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 219 calories, Sugar 14 g, Sodium 1034.5 mg, Fat 4 g, SaturatedFat 2 g, TransFat 0 g, Carbohydrate 39 g, Fiber 4.4 g, Protein 8.1 g, Cholesterol 10.6 mg

Tips:

Mise en Place: Before you start cooking, make sure you have all your ingredients and equipment ready. This will help you stay organized and avoid any scrambling.
Use Ripe and Fresh Ingredients: The quality of your ingredients will greatly impact the final dish. Make sure to use ripe and fresh produce, spices, and herbs for the best flavor.
Toast Whole Spices: Toasting whole spices like cumin, coriander, and fenugreek seeds will enhance their flavor and aroma. Toast them in a dry skillet over medium heat until fragrant.
Use a Quality Pumpkin Puree: For the best results, use a smooth and flavorful pumpkin puree. You can make your own puree by roasting a pumpkin or use a store-bought puree.
Adjust Spices to Your Taste: The amount of spices used in this recipe can be adjusted to your personal preference. If you like a milder dish, use less spices. If you prefer a more flavorful dish, add more spices.
Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Before serving, garnish the dish with fresh cilantro or parsley for an extra burst of flavor and color.

Conclusion:

Dhansak Parsi Cornish Hens Braised in Spiced Pumpkin Lentil Puree is a delicious and flavorful dish that combines the best of Parsi and Cornish cuisine. The tender and succulent Cornish hens are braised in a rich and aromatic pumpkin lentil puree, creating a dish that is both comforting and satisfying. This recipe is perfect for a special occasion or a weeknight dinner party. Serve it with basmati rice or naan bread for a complete meal. Enjoy!