Daal - Lauki [Bottle gourd with lentils]

This is a variation to the usual lentils that is made almost everyday in Indian menu. Adding lauki (bottle gourds) not only adds to the taste of the dish but also adds vegetable to the diet.

It is very easy to prepare, read below to know how.

Ingredients
1. Lentils (Chana or Tuar) [1/2 cup]
2. Lauki [1/2 of 1 small]
3. Onion [1/2]
4. Tomato [1]
5. Garlic [2 clove]
6. Red Whole Chilly [3-4]
7. Cumin [1 tsp]
8. Mustard Seeds [1 tsp]
9. Turmeric Powder [1 tsp]
10. Red Chilly Powder [1/2 tsp]
11. Salt
12. Ghee [1 tsp]

Method
1. Scrap the Bottle Gourds and cut them into small cubes. Boil them with a little salt
2. Pressure cook the lentil with double the quantity of water and pinch of turmeric and salt
3. In a wok, let the whole red chillies, mustard seeds and cumin seeds splutter in oil.
4. Add the garlic cloves and chopped onion
5. Once the onion starts to turn golden yellow, add the turmeric powder and red chilly powder
6. Stir for 2-3 minutes and then fold in the chopped tomatoes
7. Cook cover for a minute and add the boiled lauki and mix it with the spices
8. Add the boiled lentil along with the water in the pressure cooker
9. Add salt and let it simmer for 4-5 minutes
10. Just before removing from the heat, add 1 tsp of ghee

Additional Tip
You may add sambhar powder with the spices to make sambhar daal. The picture below shows the Sambhar Daal with Lauki.

Serve hot with Rice or Roti. Enjoy!