Lauki chana dal recipe

Lauki chana dal recipe or dudhi chana dal curry – a medium spicy curry made from bottle gourd (Ghia/opo squash/dudhi) and split Bengal gram.

I have used only tomato and some spice powders to make this curry flavorful. So this is no onion no garlic lauki chana dal recipe. I have mashed boiled mixture lightly, but if you prefer than keep it whole.

The secret ingredient is lemon juice which takes the whole dish to the new level. Please do not skip it.

I grew up eating this subzi. But after marriage, I was missing it because hubby does not like lauki. I have to hide it in dishes (like lauki thepla, lauki kofta) to make him eat this nutritious vegetable. But last week I decided to make this saatvik curry only for me. But I was surprised that he liked it. And he asked for second time (I was just like ‘WHAT????’). He likes it then I am 100% sure that anyone (even those who hates bottle gourd) will like it. I am saying it just because dear hubby is very picky eater.

You can make this in a pan instead of pressure cooker. For that, you need more water (about 1 1/2 cups), cover and cook till dal softens. If water dries out while cooking then add more water as needed.

Check out more lauki recipes (bottle gourd recipes)
Lauki tamatar sabzi  //  Lauki muthia  //  Lauki soup  //  Lauki juice

How to make lauki chana dal (Step by Step Recipe with Photos):

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1) Wash chana dal very well under running cold water till water runs clear.

2) Soak for at least 30 minutes.

3) Take soaked and drained chana dala, chopped lauki, salt and turmeric powder in a pressure cooker.

4) Add water, stir to combine and close it with the lid, and put the weight on.

5) Cook it for 7-8 whistles on medium heat. Let the pressure go down by itself and open the cover.

6) Lightly mash it with the back of the spoon. If it has more liquid then let it simmer without lid.

7) Heat the oil in a pan on medium heat. Once hot add cumin seeds and let them sizzle then add green chilies and cook for a minute.

8) Then add chopped tomatoes and cook for 1-2 minutes or till it soften a bit

9) Then add dry spice powders and salt. Be careful we have added salt while cooking dal-veggie.

10) Mix well and cook for a minute. Some tomatoes will get mushy and some will hold its shape.

11) Now add this tomato masala to boiled dal-lauki mixture.

12) Mix well. If needed then bring it to a boil.

13) Sprinkle chopped cilantro and mix well.

14) Finally add freshly squeezed lemon juice. And it is ready to serve.

Bottle gourd substitution – ridge gourd or zucchini.

Serving suggestion: Serve this lauki chana dal curry with roti/phulka or paratha. It can be served with plain steamed rice too.

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4.45 from 9 votes

Lauki chana dal recipe (Dudhi chana dal subzi)

US measuring cups are used (1 cup = 240 ml)

Course Main Course

Cuisine Indian

Prep Time 30 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 50 minutes

Servings 2 servings

Calories 120kcal

Author Kanan

Ingredients

For pressure cooking:

• ¼ cup Chana dal (Split bengal gram)
• 1 ½ cups Lauki (bottle gourd or dudhi) cut into ½ inch cubes
• Salt to taste
• ⅛ teaspoon Turmeric powder
• ½ cup Water

For tomato masala:

• 1 tablespoon Oil
• ½ teaspoon Cumin seeds
• 2 Green chilies chopped finely
• 1 medium or ¾ cup Tomato chopped finely
• Salt - to taste
• ⅛ teaspoon Turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon Red chili powder
• ½ teaspoon Cumin powder
• ½ teaspoon Coriander powder
• ¼ teaspoon Garam masala
• 1 ½ teaspoon Lemon juice
• few Cilantro or coriander leaves chopped finely for garnishing

Instructions

Pressure cooking the dal and lauki:

• Wash chana dal very well under running cold water till water runs clear.
• Soak for at least 30 minutes.
• Take soaked and drained chana dala, chopped lauki, salt and turmeric powder in a pressure cooker.
• Add water, stir to combine and close it with the lid, and put the weight on.
• Cook it for 7-8 whistles on medium heat.
• Let the pressure go down by itself and open the cover.
• Lightly mash it with the back of the spoon. If it has more liquid then let it simmer without lid.

Making lauki chana dal recipe:

• Heat the oil in a pan on medium heat. Once hot add cumin seeds and let them sizzle
• then add green chilies and cook for a minute.
• Then add chopped tomatoes and cook for 1-2 minutes or till it soften a bit
• Then add dry spice powders. Mix well and cook for a minute.
• Now add this tomato masala to boiled dal-lauki mixture.
• Mix well. If needed then bring it to a boil.
• Sprinkle chopped cilantro and mix well.
• Finally add freshly squeezed lemon juice.

Nutrition

Calories: 120kcal | Carbohydrates: 10.8g | Protein: 3.8g | Fat: 7.8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 616mg | Potassium: 440mg | Fiber: 4.3g | Sugar: 3.9g

*Nutrition information is a rough estimate for 1 serving

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