Lauki Channa Daal

Lauki Chana Dal, a great combination of lentil and vegetable dish. It is very delicious, healthy,high in fiber rich in protein and folic acid. It is very simple and easy to cook. It can served with rice or roti. People on no/low carb diet can also eat by itself.

Serves : 4-5 People

Preperation Time: 10 Minutes

Cooking Time" 15 minutes

Ingredients:

1. 1 cup channa Dal (Split Bengal gram) - washed and soaked

2. 1 small lauki (Bottle gourd)

3. 1. medium size tomato

4. 1 medium onion

5. 1 green chilli (Slited) – Optional

6. 4-5 curry leaves – Optional

7. 1 tsp. garlic paste

8. 1 Tsp ginger paste

9. ¼ cup cilantro (Hara dhania) leaves (washed and finely chopped)

10. ½ tsp. red chili powder

11. Salt to taste

12. 1 tsp. Cumin (jeera) seeds

13. ½ tsp. Degi mirch powder

14. ½ tsp. Turmeric (haldi) powder

15. 1 1/2 tsp. coriander powder

16. ¼ tsp. Hing (Asafetida) powder

17. 1 tsp. garam masala powder

18. 2 tbsp. oil

Preperation :

Wash dal and soak it for 1 to 1 ½ hours in plenty of water.
Tip: if you forgot to soak the dal, no worries, you can microwave the dal soaked in some water (enough to cover the dal) for 4 minutes and let it rest until you prepare the ingredients.
 Drain the water the day.
 Next, take pressure cooker, add daal, lauki cubes, salt and turmeric powder. Mix close the lid and allow to pressure cook on high flame until first whistle comes.
 Now, lower the fame to medium and allow 3 whistles.
 Take off pressure cooker from the flame and set it aside, until all pressure is released.
 In the meantime, take a pan heat 2 tbsp. oil.
 Add hing powder, next add cumin seeds and allow it to splutter.
 Add chopped onions, curry leaves and green chili, sauté until the onions become translucent or start changing color.
 Next, add ginger-garlic paste and sauté until it starts turning golden brown.
 Add red chili powder, degi mirch, coriander powder and sauté for few seconds.
 Add chopped tomatoes and cook until soft.
 Add little salt as per taste (remember that we had add 1 tsp. salt while cooking dal).
 Cover the pan with lid for a minute, when the masala leaves oil, switch off the flame.
 Open the pressure cooker lid, dal and lauki should be cooked well.
 Add the masala to the cooked dal and allow a boil on high flame.
 When it starts boiling, simmer the flame and cook for 5-7 minutes, add garam masala powder.
 Serve hot garnished cilantro leaves. Dal can be served with rice or roti.