Friday, August 24, 2012

Bottle Gourd Dal


         After coming to India, I have slowed down, I am hardly posting twice in a week, is it due to more work here or because of the internet connection here, I don't know. Everytime I think, I should do better the next week, but end up doing the same, hopefully I'll be much more organised in the future. Well, today's dal is a very easy and tasty recipe which I had learnt from a Punjabi friend, in fact till sometime back, I had been using bottle gourd to make this dal only, never tried out even a sambar with it. I have used chana dal (skinned split black chickpeas) for making it, you can use the whole chickpeas, except that you have to soak it before cooking. This goes well both with rotis and any kind of rice or pulav, a mild yet flavorful dal..

Need To Have
  • Chana Dal - 3/4 cup
  • Bottle Gourd - 1 small chopped
  • Onion - 1 medium chopped
  • Cumin Seeds - 1 teaspoon
  • Cloves - 2
  • Cinnamon - 1" stick
  • Turmeric Powder - 1/4 teaspoon
  • Chilli Powder - 1/2 teaspoon
  • Garam Masala - 1/2 teaspoon
  • Coriander Powder - 1 teaspoon
  • Chopped Coriander Leaves - 1/4 cup
Make A Paste
  • Onion - 1 medium
  • Tomato - 1 medium
  • Ginger - 1 tablespoon chopped
  • Garlic - 4 cloves
Method


         Pressure cook the chana dal and the bottle gourd along with the turmeric powder (just like you cook rice), grind the ingredients given under make a paste. Heat oil, add the cinnamon, cloves and the cumin seeds, when the cumin seeds start sizzling add the chopped onions, saute for a couple of minutes. Then add the ground paste, followed by the chilli and coriander powders, saute well till the raw smell goes away for about 5 to 7 minutes (sprinkling water if the mixture turns too dry and sticks to the pan).


Then add the cooked dal and vegetable, mix well, simmer for 5 minutes, mix in the garam masala and the chopped coriander leaves. Serve it warm with rotis or rice.


Note
You can use a mixture of chana dal and moong dal.
After adding the dal and vegetable, if it is too thick, mix in some water and boil.
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33 comments:

  1. excellent presentation hema.. looks delicious :)

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  2. delicious dear...Rush your delights for Fast Food Event - Noodles

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  3. lovely pics and a different way from the way i make bottle gourd with chana dal, wud post soon

    i think ya once u settle down to routine u wud be able to post like before

    hope u r doing good


    Today's recipe

    Microwave Bhindi"

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  4. lovely clicks and healthy food Hema

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  5. Lovely everyday dal gravy love it with chapatis.

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  6. I really amazed to see peoples blogging from India, you guys are doing fantastic job, if i live in India i wont ever think about blogging, doesnt matter how many time you post in a week, love the dedication Hema.. SUper comforting dal, simply love to have with a bowl of rice.

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  7. simple recipe,wish to have with a roti...

    Hema,now u setteled in india?? Hope everything will be good!!

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  8. Nice curry dear...looks yummy....

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  9. Lauki in gram dal is an all time fav!!! Looks delicious!!
    Prathima Rao
    Prats Corner

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  10. Channa dal with bottle gourd nice combo and nicely done hema

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  11. Healthy and yummy combo,looks so delicious

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  12. Love the combo of channa dal and lauki...nice preparation

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  13. Super click with such a varied veg dish..Cheers !

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  14. Delicious and healthy dal Hema, love it.

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  15. Very nice side dish dear. Nice clicks.

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  16. Hema this is one of my favourite dal combination with rice. It looks and sounds delcious.

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  17. This dal remebers me my mom dal she used cook it so regulary,yummyy piccc

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  18. My favourite dal with lovely clicks...

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  19. I too love this combo of channa dal and bottle gourd . Nice pic too.

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  20. nice combo I love this combo too
    great-secret-of-life.blogspot.com

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  21. Delicious combo of dal and gourd.. Looks so yummy!!

    http://aromaticdining.blogspot.com/

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  22. What a coincidence..I made the bottle gourd with Chana dal for lunch today, but i followed the Kerala style by adding coconut. Loved ur version:-) Next time will give this a try:-)

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  23. Wholesome & delicious dal

    http://shwetainthekitchen.blogspot.com/

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  24. looks so delicious & nice pics...Am sure,soon you will be back in everyday blogging mood...:)

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  25. Hi Hema,
    Perhaps you don't mind if I share your Bottle Gourd Dal recipe in our food network www.mycookbook.com , i believe this info will be valuable.
    Surely I'll include the original source and give you credit :)

    Let me know,
    Thanks :)

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  26. Never made a dal out of bottle gourd, its sure healthy!

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  27. This is an interesting way of using bottle gourd. Never tried anything much with it...Lovely clicks as always :)

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