Dhuska
Among many fritters, this is my family’s new favorite. “Dhuska” is a Jharkhand pakoda which could be served in breakfast or supper with tea in the evening. It is a deep fried rice and lentils’ batter.
Thanks to the “Chef at large” group on facebook, I came to know of its popularity and tried out in my own way . These fritters (pakode) are crispy on the outside and fluffy and soft from inside. Also I didn’t use any baking soda or eno to fluff the batter.
When the winter rains lock you inside your house and you feel like eating some fried starters , then go for them. You will not stop at one, I bet. 🙂 So lets check this Indian recipe now…
INGREDIENTS:
1. Sona masoori rice or Idli rice or Basmati rice (chawal -any variety) – 1 cup
2. Split chickpeas (Chana dal) lentils – 1/2 cup
3. Whole hulled bengal gram (Urad Dal) – 1/2 cup
4. Salt – 2 tsp or to taste
5. Turmeric (haldi) – 1 tsp
6. Asafoetida (Hing) – 1/2 tsp
7. Roasted Cumin powder (Bhuna pisa jeera) – 1 tsp
8. Green chillies finely chopped (hari mirche) – 4 whole
9. Cilantro leaves (dhaniya patte) finely chopped – 3 tbsp
10. Chaat Masala powder/Amchur powder – 1 tsp or to taste (optional)
11. Groundnut unrefiend oil – 2 cups for frying
METHOD:
| Passive time: ( 3 + 5 ) hrs | Preparation time : 10 mins | Cooking time : 20 mins | Makes 20-25 pakodes |
1. Wash and soak the rice, chana dal and urad dal in separate bowls. I took 2:1:1 for Rice: Urad Dal: Chana Dal. But you may take 1:0.5:0.25 for Rice:Urad Dal:Chana Dal; i.e. you may take 1/4 cup chana dal instead of 1/2 cup chana dal. Let them soak for 3 hrs. I soaked for 4 hrs.  
[P.S. : This post was long due since last winters, but finally I got time to publish it. Hence ,don’t get amused by weird instances used. 😛 ]
2. Take a grinding jar and drain the water of rice and dals. Add rice in the jar and ground it by adding little water to a smooth paste. Take it out in a bowl. 
3. Similarly grind the chana dal to a smooth paste and add it in the rice paste. 
4. Next grind the urad dal and add it to the same mixture. I have ground them separately for even grinding and mixing. 
5. Mix all the batter ingredients and keep it covered in a warm place for 4 to 5 hrs. I kept for 5 hrs. Dry roast the cumin seeds once you see the batter fluffed up. 
after 2 hrs
6. Add groundnut oil in a wok(kadhai) and heat it on high for frying. In the meanwhile , add the chopped cilantro, green chillies, salt and turmeric in the batter. Also add roasted cumin powder, chaat masala (for added 😉 chatkare) and hing and mix them well. [ P.S. : Recently I am introduced to the benefits of deep frying in unrefined ,non-compressed , pure extracted oils like groundnut oil ,coconut oil. Hence I have replaced my refined oils with Olive oil for dressing and sauteing, groundnut oil for deep frying and Desi ghee for applying and making sweets. You may follow your family tradition and use mustard oil /coconut oil/ sesame oil for frying too. ]  
7. Now fill a scoop-full of batter and drop it gently in hot oil. Add as many as the wok could accomodate. Since they swell while frying ,so keep that space needed in mind. 
8. Let them fry till golden brown on all sides on medium heat. If you want them really crisp lower the heat and fry it for longer time.  
9. Once fried, take them out in a paper-towel lined plate. Serve with your favourite home-made chutney or tomato ketchup.  
I am sure your family would enjoy this warm surprise with morning tea on the weekends. This simple yet never tried recipe awaits you . Try it and share your experiences with me.
Till then keep cooking and sharing love…
🙂
| Prep Time | 10 mins |
| Cook Time | 20 mins |
| Passive Time | 3+5 hours |
| Servings |
people
|
- 1. 1 cup Sona masoori rice or Idli rice or Basmati rice chawal -any variety
- 2. 1/2 cup Split chickpeas lentils Chana dal
- 3. 1/2 cup Whole hulled bengal Urad Dal
- 4. 2 tsp salt - or to taste
- 5. 1 tsp turmeric haldi
- 6. 1/2 tsp Asafoetida Hing
- 7. 1 tsp roasted cumin powder Bhuna pisa jeera
- 8. 4 whole Green chillies finely chopped hari mirche
- 9. 3 tbsp Cilantro finely chopped dhaniya patte
- 10. 1 tsp Chaat Masala powder/Amchur powder optional
- 11. 2 cups Groundnut unrefiend oil - for frying
Ingredients
|
|
- Wash and soak the rice, chana dal and urad dal in separate bowls. I took 2:1:1 for Rice: Urad Dal: Chana Dal. But you may take 1:0.5:0.25 for Rice:Urad Dal:Chana Dal; i.e. you may take 1/4 cup chana dal instead of 1/2 cup chana dal. Let them soak for 3 hrs. I soaked for 4 hrs.
- Take a grinding jar and drain the water of rice and dals. Add rice in the jar and ground it by adding little water to a smooth paste. Take it out in a bowl.
- Similarly grind the chana dal to a smooth paste and add it in the rice paste.
- Next grind the urad dal and add it to the same mixture. I have ground them separately for even grinding and mixing.
- Mix all the batter ingredients and keep it covered in a warm place for 4 to 5 hrs. I kept for 5 hrs.
- Add groundnut oil in a wok(kadhai) and heat it on high for frying. In the meanwhile , add the chopped cilantro, green chillies, salt and turmeric in the batter. Also add roasted cumin powder, chaat masala (for added 😉 chatkare) and hing and mix them well. [ P.S. : Recently I am introduced to the benefits of deep frying in unrefined ,non-compressed , pure extracted oils like groundnut oil ,coconut oil. Hence I have replaced my refined oils with Olive oil for dressing and sauteing, groundnut oil for deep frying and Desi ghee for applying and making sweets. You may follow your family tradition and use mustard oil /coconut oil/ sesame oil for frying too. ]
- Now fill a scoop-full of batter and drop it gently in hot oil. Add as many as the wok could accomodate. Since they swell while frying ,so keep that space needed in mind.
- Let them fry till golden brown on all sides on medium heat. If you want them really crisp lower the heat and fry it for longer time.
- Once fried, take them out in a paper-towel lined plate. Serve with your favouritehome-made chutney or tomato ketchup.