Daal Lauki (Lentils and Bottle Gourd)

A simple solution for dinner time to end a hectic day. Serve like a soup with crackers or with fresh chapatis.

To serve 2-3

Yellow Lentils – 3/4 cup uncooked (Moong daal)(washed and drained)

1 medium sized lauki (Bottle gourd/ dhoodhi), skin peeled and cubed

1 medium sized white onion chopped

1 tomato chopped

1 Tbsp Tomato paste

2 Green chilies (optional)

5-6 curry leaves

1/2 Tbsp cumin seeds

2 cloves garlic smashed

1/2″ ginger root skin peeled and chopped

salt, pinch of turmeric powder and red chili powder

In a pressure cooker (you can use a heavy bottom pan if you don’t have a cooker), saute cumin seeds in an Tbsp of oil on medium heat. Add onions, garlic. ginger, green chilies, curry leaves and saute till onions become translucent. (About 3-4 minutes). Add tomatoes and paste and cook for 4-5 minutes. Add the lauki (gourd) and the daal (Lentils). Add the salt, tumeric and chili powder. Add about 2.5 cups of water and pressure cook on medium for about 12-13 minutes. If using a pan, cover the pan with a lid and cook for about 25-28 minutes till daal and the lauki are cooked thoroughly.

Drop in a Tbsp of ghee (clarified butter) and enjoy this simple finish to a busy day.
It’ll surely make you all warm and fuzzy inside. 🙂

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