What is Dhansak?

Dhansak is a Parsi dish. Dhansak is a combination of two words: Dhan and Sak

Dhan refers to decorticated split beans: Chickpeas, Pigeon peas, Moong, Urad, Masoor, dried green and yellow peas. The dish may contain one or more of these Dal. Most common beans used are Lentils (Masoor) and Pigeon-peas (Toor).

Sak refers to vegetables. Both green and starchy vegetables are used.

In addition to beans and vegetables, chicken or mutton may be added. The cooked beans and vegetables are ground up to give the body and its greenish yellow color. The dish is sour and very very spicy hot.

The Indian British restaurants describe it as a sweet and sour curry with lentil puree based sauce. Pineapple is included for added sweetness.

Parsee are descendants of Zoroastrians who migrated from Iran to India and settled in Gujarat. Parsee Cuisine is a fusion of Iranian and Gujarat cuisines. Parsee are most Anglicized. During Raj, it took on the look of Anglo-Indian cuisine

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