Toor Dal lauki

Ingredients:

Lauki/Bottle gourd – 1 medium or 3 cups chopped

Toor Dal/Split Pigeon Peas – 1 cup

Onion – 1 medium

Green chilies – 4-5 or to taste

Tomato – 1 big

Red Chilli Powder - 1/2 tsp

Turmeric Powder - 1/2 tsp

Chopped Coriander Leaves - 2 tbsp

Salt - To Taste

For Tadka/Tempering:

Oil or Ghee or Butter - 2 tsp

Asafoetida/Hing - A Pinch

Cumin seeds - 1 tsp

Mustard seeds - 1 tsp

Minced Garlic - 1 tsp

Method:

1. Wash Dal and soak in water until required. Peel bottle guard and cut in small cubes. Remove the seeds if wished or too many seeds.
2. Pressure cook dal and bottle guard together with 1/4 tsp of turmeric powder and enough water for 3 whistles. Once pressure released mash well and keep aside.
3. Meanwhile chop onion, tomato, green chilli and coriander leaves.
4. In pan or wok heat oil/ghee, hing, add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, garlic and saute until garlic becomes golden brown.
5. Add onion, green chilli and saute until onion becomes soft.
6. Add redchill, remaining turmeric powder and saute for minute. Add chopped tomato and cook until it gets mashed.
7. Add bottle gourd pieces and mix well, cook for 2 minutes.
8. Add mashed dal, 1-2 cups of water, salt and bring it to good boil, simmer for 5 minutes. Add coriander leaves mix and off flame.