Lauki Chana Dal Recipe

Lauki Chana Dal is a very healthy preparation of split Bengal Gram (Chana dal/ Split Chickpea)) laced up with the nutritious values of Bottle Gourd (Lauki). This helathy recipe of Lauki Chana Dal is easy to prepare and easy to digest also and also a best option to introduce lauki (Bottle Gourd) to kids. No specialization or special culinary skill is required to make Lauki Chana Dal Recipe therefore best lunch or dinner option for cooking beginners that goes well with roti and rice as well.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 cup chopped lauki (bottlegourd)
• 1.5 cup chana dal (split and husked bengal gram or split chickpea)
• 2 tablespoon ghee (clarified butter)
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 1 medium tomato, finely chopped
• ½ inch ginger, finely chopped
• ½ teaspoon cumin seeds (Jeera)
• 1 pinch Asafoetida (Hing)
• ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
• ¼ teaspoon red chili powder
• 1 green chili, chopped
• 2 cups water for pressure cooking
• 1 to 1.5 tablespoon chopped coriander leaves
• salt as required

How to make Lauki Chana Dal

1. Rinse and soak the chana dal for atleast 45 minutes to 1 hour.
2. Drain the chana dal and keep aside.
3. Heat ghee in a pressure cooker. Crackle the cumin first. Add pinch of Hing
4. Add the onions and saute till they become translucent.
5. Add the ginger and green chilies and saute for 10-15 seconds.
6. Now add the tomatoes and all the dry spice powders. Saute till the tomatoes soften. Keep on stirring.
7. The ghee should start releasing from the onion-tomato masala.
8. Now add the chana dal and stir. Add the chopped lauki (bottle gourd) and salt. Pour water and stir.
9. Cover with the lid and pressure cook for about 4-5 whistles on medium flame.
10. If there is lots of liquid in the sabzi, then simmer without the lid to dry the liquids.
11. When the pressure drops on its own, remove the lid Slightly mash the dal and lauki and add the coriander leaves.

Recipe Notes:

• Addition of finely chopped or crushed garlic with onions and ginger improves the flavour.
• Lauki chana dal curry san be prepared in a pan by adding about 2-3 cup water and cover and cook. If the water dries up whilst cooking you can add some more water.