Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Chana Dal Dudhi | Chana Dal Lauki | Bottle Gourd with Bengal Gram Lentils

It is raining cats and dogs again - its as if the rain just does not want to leave our area! I am almost beginning to feel as though I am stuck in the middle of the monsoons here, albeit a monsoon of a rather chilly and windy variety!! Our rather optimistic weatherman assures us everyday that there is some sunshine out there - waiting to pop right out of the clouds - umm... say.... day after tomorrow :)
After hearing this prediction for 2 weeks in a row, I've just decided to settle in and enjoy the rain this May. The plan was to transplant some seedlings about now - but instead am enjoying catching up on my reading and cooking experiments!! In between the two, I made steaming hot Idli-Sambar on Sunday, Spinach and Ricotta Manicotti baked in creamy tomato sauce last evening, and Chana Dal Dudhi with Mangori Curry (Sun-Dried Lentil Dumplings in a Spicy Tomato Sauce) last night!!
Ingredients:
2/3 cup chana dal, soaked overnight
3 cups bottle gourd, peeled and cubed
4-5 curry leaves
1" piece ginger, mashed
3 cloves garlic, mashed
1/2 tsp haldi (turmeric powder)
1/4 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp mustard seeds
1/8 tsp hing (asafoetida)
1/2 tsp red chili powder
Salt, to taste
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp ghee (optional)

Method:
  1. Heat oil in a pan. Add the cumin and mustard seeds.
  2. Reduce heat and add the turmeric, asafoetida, and the curry leaves.
  3. Now pour in the chana dal. Mix well till the dal is well coated with the spices. 
  4. Pour in 2 cups of water and cook until the dal is semi-soft. Top with water, if needed.
  5. Next add the garlic, ginger, and bottle gourd. Mix into the semi-cooked dal.
  6. Cover and cook on low heat for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  7. When cooked, add salt to taste.
  8. Serve hot with a dollop of ghee.

This medley of lentils and vegetables goes well with hot parathas (flat bread), and also with rice. This dish goes to Sara @ Sara's Corner. She is hosting Cooking with Seeds - Cumin for the month of May. This event was created by Priya of Priya's Easy and Tasty Recipes. It also goes to Susan, the host and creator of My Legume Love Affair, for MLLA 23!!

Vegan Substitute: Don't add ghee.

All text and photographs in this blog, unless otherwise noted, are Copyright of © Annarasa 2007 - 2013. All Rights Reserved. Kindly do not reproduce without permission.

13 comments:

  1. Rainy days are the best for frying! :D

    It's cold here too but expecting almost 90F again on Friday.

    Doodhi and Chana dal is the best combo, I love this dish. Looks great.

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  2. here, it is raining cats and dogs, too, and it is cold since two weeks...did you notice that nobody speaks about Global Warming anymore....?
    Your dish is very good for this kind of weather; i am sure i would like it ...take care :)

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  3. Apu, I love this combo and the click is very tempting. Great job !!!

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  4. Beautiful combo, love this dal and bottlegourd comb much..

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  5. Great dish with channa and bottlegourd...looks tasty :)

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  6. love this combo and nice clicks :)

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  7. Looks wonderful. Just my type of dish. Lots of rain and wind here too. Apparently the sun is supposed to shine tomorrow. Hope so!

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  8. looks good and very healthy too..

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  9. Hey Apu...we just love this @ home...usually its a saturday(veggie on Sat) special @ home

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  10. My mom used to make this very often. Love this recipe and it is very healthy too. Nice clicks apu.

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  11. I love this curry! I have eaten it many times but never tried at home :) Looks super yummy :)

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  12. We too make this combo :)
    Love it with rotis :)

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  13. Bottle gourd - so gorgeous. I've made many an Indian meal with legumes, but haven't incorporated the special veggies enough in my dishes.

    Thank you, Apu, for your great MLLA contribution!

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