Chana dal-Lauki Stew: Comfort in a bowl

Ingredients:

For Chana dal Lauki: [6 servings approx.]



Chana dal (Split yellow) ? 3/4 cup

Lauki (Bottle guard) ? 1

Dry Spices:

Whole garam masala – 1 tbsp

Red chili powder – 1 tsp

Turmeric powder -1/2 tsp

Coriander powder ? 1 tbsp

Garam masala powder – ½ tsp

Kasoori Methi -1/2 tbsp

Wet Ingredients for tadka:

Onion -1/2 (finely chopped)

Tomatoes -1 cup (finely chopped)

Ginger – 1 tbsp (finely chopped)

Garlic – 1 tbsp (finely chopped)

Green chili -1 tsp (finely chopped) [Optional]

Olive oil – 2 tbsp

Salt as per taste

Method:

Wash dry chana dal a couple of times. Keep aside.
Peel and cut Bottle guard (Lauki) in medium size cubes and keep aside.
Pressure cook it with turmeric powder, salt and 2.5 cups of water for 10 minutes on medium heat.
Now open the pressure cooker (when all the pressure is released), and add cut bottle guard (lauki) to it.
Pressure cook the above for 10 more minutes.
For tadka, heat olive oil in a pan. Add whole garam masala. Let it crackle. Then add chopped onions and sauté it, till turns light golden. Add ginger, garlic and chopped green chilies (optional). Cook for 2 minutes.
Add chopped tomatoes, red chili powder, garam masala powder, coriander powder in the gravy and let it simmer for 5-6 minutes on medium-low heat.
Add the tadka to the cooked chanadal lauki and add 1/2 cup water and simmer it on low heat 4-5 minutes.
Finally, add kasoori methi and let it simmer for 2 more minutes.

Garnish:

Garnish the Chana dal Lauki with freshly chopped cilantro and serve with halved lemons.

Enjoy with fresh naan, paratha or steamed basmati rice.