Lauki Chane Ki Dal

A simple yet very healthy dal recipe.

Ingredients :

• Bottle Guard ( lauki ) Cubed - 2 cups
• Bengal Gram ( Chana Dal ) - 1 cup
• Onion - 1 medium
• Tomato - 1 medium
• Green Chili - 1-2
• Ginger Garlic Paste - 1 tsp
• Red Chili powder - to taste ( optional )
• Turmeric Powder - 1/4 tsp
• Cumin Seeds - 1/4 tsp
• Salt - to taste
• Oil - 1 tbsp
• Chopped Cilantro - for garnishing

Directions :

• Soak chana dal for around 1 hour.
• Peel and cube lauki. Do not chop the lauki too fine. Let them be 1/2 inch cubes. If you chop them too fine, it might get mashed up while cooking.
• Pressure cook dal and lauki in enough water till done.
• Heat oil in a pan, splutter cumin seeds.
• Saute chopped onions , ginger garlic paste and slit green chillies. Fry till onions turn translucent.
• Add chopped tomatoes, salt , red chili powder and turmeric powder. Fry till tomatoes are tender.
• Add the cooked dal and lauki along with the left over water in the cooker . Mix well.
• Add little more water , if there is no water left in the cooker.
• Cook covered for 8 -10 minutes .
• Garnish with chopped cilantro.
• Serve with plain rice or chapatis.

Alternatively, you can cook every thing in a pressure cooker . Saves time.