Saucepans and Spices

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LAUKI CHANA DAL

A tasty and healthy vegetarian curry made with bottle gourd ( dudhi, ghiya) and Bengal gram. This delicious protein rich curry recipe can easily become a Vegan curry by eliminating the Yoghurt. This Dal and sabzi curry is perfectly balanced and is enjoyed with Rotis and rice.

INGREDIENTS FOR THE MASALA:

  • 1 large onion sliced

  • 1-2 tomatoes roughly chopped

  • 5-6 garlic cloves 

  • 1 inch ginger piece

  • 1-2 green chilies (not pictured) 

  • 1 cup water

  • Salt to taste

INSTRUCTIONS TO MAKE THE MASALA:

  • Heat 1tsp oil in a pan

  • Add all masala ingredients and sauté for 2-3 mins

  • Add water and simmer (covered) for 5-6 mins (until all the ingredients are soft)

  • Cool the mixture

  • Grind to a fine paste

CHANA DAL INSTRUCTIONS:

  • Soak 1 cup Chana dal overnight.

  • Boil (pressure cook)with water until 70 - 80 % done.

Press a grain of dal between thumb and forefinger to check. The dal should be soft but still hold it’s shape.

LAUKI INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 Lauki chopped into pieces

  • 3-4 fresh red chilies

  • 2-3 dry red chilies

  • 1-inch ginger julienned

  • 1-2 tsp yoghurt 

POWDER INGREDIENTS:

  • 1tsp jeera powder

  • 1tbsp red chili powder

  • 1tbsp Shilpa’s Masala Mill garam masala

  • 1tbsp coriander powder

  • 1tbsp cumin powder

  • ¼ tsp turmeric powder 

  • Pinch of Hing ( asafoetida)

  • Salt to taste

  • 1tsp Sabut jeera

INSTRUCTIONS:

  • Heat 2-3 tbsp oil in a kadhai (pan)

  • Add jeera, Hing and dry red chilies

  • Add onion and sauté for 3-4 mins

  • Add all the dry masala powders and fry for 2-3mins

  • Now add the ground masala paste 

  • Fry for 4 - 5 minutes

  • Add yoghurt and sauté for another 1-2 mins

  • When all the masalas get incorporated well, add the Lauki and fry for 3-4 mins

  • Add the Chana dal . Mix well

  • Add hot water (1 cup)

  • Cover and cook on medium heat for 10 - 12 mins or until Lauki is cooked

  • Add the fresh red chilies

  • Add julienned ginger and coriander leaves to garnish.

  • Lauki Chana dal is ready

Enjoy!