Bottle gourd dal

Andhra people loves dal. We eat dal almost everyday or toggle between dal /sambar and rasam.

Andhra dals are different from north indian dals that we use mostly toor dal and make multiple variations with different vegetables and green leaves.

My mom used to prepare yummy dals daily and we got so used to it , it has become our comfort food.

Ingredients:

Bottle gourd - 1/2

toor dal - 1 cup

turmeric - 1 tspn

green chillies - 2

red chilli powder - 1 tspn

oil - 1tbspn

salt- as per taste

Seasoning

mustard seeds - 1/4 tspn

cumin seeds - 1/4 tspn

channa dal - 1/4 tspn

fenugreek seeds  - a pinch

curry leaves - 4-5

Procedure:

Wash the toor dal and keep aside.

Wash bottle gourd and peel it.

Cut the bottle gourd into pieces . Medium sized pieces should do fine.

In a pressure cooker add the dal and bottle gourd pieces and add twice as much water.

Add a pinch of turmeric and keep in high flame till 4-5 whistles.

Once the pressure weans off remove the lid and let it cool to warm.

Take a ladle and mash the dal and bottle gourd. Bottle gourd dosent have to be completely mashed .It would be nice to have chunk of veggies while having dal.

Chop the green chillies for seasoning.

In a wok add oil and once heated add all the seasoning ingredients and green chillies. Once the mustard seeds splutter add the dal mixture.

Add salt and chilli powder as per taste and let it boil for 2 mins.

This dal can be had with rice or roti. 

Bottle gourd is cooling for the body and easily digestible.