Lauki Dal Curry/Bottle Gourd Toor Lentil Curry

Today's recipe is a simple Dal Curry with Lauki/Bottle Guard veggie. I incorporate a lot of veggies with Dal, Lauki is no exception. Many of my friends say Lauki is a veggie without any taste may be because of its high water content, so they try to stay away from it. But I add them to Sambhar, Dals, Sabzi and I even tried Lauki Kheer. This veggie when paired with some simple ingredients can give you an amazing taste. Now here's the recipe for an awesome and nutritious Lauki Dal, definitely try them at home for a delicious meal :-) 

Ingredients Used:-

1. Lauki/Bottlegourd/ Dhoodhi - 1 Medium size
2. Toor Dal - ¾ cup
3. Turmeric powder - ¾ tsp
4. Chilly powder - 1 tsp
5. Salt ~ 1 tsp(Check and adjust)
6. Onion sliced finely - 1 Medium size 
7. Tomato sliced finely - 1
8. Green chilies split into halves - 4
9. Curry leaves few
10. Coriander leaves chopped - 2 tbsp(optional)
11. Water as required ~ 3 cups

For Tempering:-

1. Oil ~ 2 tsp
2. Mustard seeds - 1 tsp
3. Jeera/Cumin - ¾ tsp
4. Dry red chilies - 4
5. Onion/Shallots chopped ~ 2 tbsp
6. Curry leaves few

Preparation Method:-

• Peel and cut the Lauki into two halves. Scrape out the middle portion. Wash well and chop them into small cubes.
• Wash the toor dal two-three times drop them in the pressure cooker. Add the chopped lauki to the cooker aswell.
• Add turmeric powder, chilly powder, salt and few curry leaves. Close the cooker lid and pressure cook. When the first whistle is released simmer the gas stove to low-med and let it pressure cook for another three-four whistles. Switch off the fame and let it coo down completely.
• Open the cooker lid, stir the veggies and dal with a laddle, add the sliced onions, tomatoes and green chilies and let it boil for five-seven minutes till tomatoes and onions becomes soft. Check for the salt and adjust. Remove from the stove.
• Heat up a small pan for tempering. Pour oil, add the mustard, when the mustard start to crackle add cumin followed by chopped onions, curry leaves and red chilies. Saute well till onions turns brown(don't make them very dark brown)
• Pour them over the cooked Dal. Add some chopped coriander leaves if desired. Serve warm with rice/roti....