Lauki channa dal - Dal variety made with lauki (bottle gourd) and channa dal. Simple and easy side dish which often frequents the Punjabi home kitchens.
An indispensable part of the Indian cuisine is the dal. Dal or daal, in the Indian language is very a loose term that describes all lentils, especially the split ones. It is derived from the sanskrit word “dal” which means to split. Punjabis are so adept at making a simple dal taste so delicious and there are so many varieties out there. One such everyday meal is this lauki channa dal which regularly fares at Punjabi homes. Lauki is one of the healthy vegetables, especially during Summer. It keeps us hydrated and cool.
This recipe is made using the pressure cooker. Hence time saving and can be ready in no time. I prefer this over the stove top for just one reason - the dal cooks quickly in a pressure cooker. On a stove top, channa dal takes longer to cook. If you don't have a pressure cooker, soak the dal for a minimum of 30 minutes to fasten the cooking time.
Dal variety made with lauki (bottle gourd) and channa dal. Simple and easy side dish which often frequents the Punjabi home kitchens.
- 1 tablespoon oil
- ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
- 2 green chillies slit lengthwise
- 2 garlic finely minced
- 1 medium sized onion finely chopped
- 1 medium sized tomato finely chopped
- 400 grams peeled and chopped lauki
- 3 tablespoons channa dal
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin powder
- 1 teaspoon coriander powder
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- Salt to taste
- Heat oil in a pressure cooker over medium high. Add the cumin seeds and let it splutter. Then add the chopped garlic, green chillies and onions. Sautee until the onions turn golden brown.
- Then add the chopped tomatoes and cook until the tomatoes soften. Stir in between.
- Then add the turmeric powder, cumin and coriander powder. Stir well. Cook until the onion tomato is mashed well and starts leaving the sides of the pan.
- Then add the garam masala, channa dal and chopped lauki. Stir.
- Then add a cup of water. Close the cooker and cook on medium high for about 12 minutes.
- Remove the lid after the pressure releases. Stir well. If there is more water, cook on high for a couple of minutes until it starts thickening.
- Check for salt and adjust if needed.
- Serve with roti or phulka.
preeti garg says
Looks so healthy and comforting food for daily menu.
Jyoti Babel says
Lauki Chana dal is a great combo. I love it with chappati
sushma says
Lauki chana dal is amazing dish. I make similar dish with ridge gourd too.
Padmajha PJ says
I always prefer pressure cooking to stove top cooking.The work gets done so fast! Your dal recipe sounds and looks delicious Nisha.
sapna says
Lauki chana dal is my favorite and I always make it whenever I have lauki in my kitchen. Love your presentation 😊
Farah says
Lovely pics and presentation!! Beautiful recipe!
Sowmya says
That looks like one nutritious bowl! I keep thinking to try this but end up using lauki in other dishes...now I am inspired. Bookmarking!
Varada says
Channa dal is so flavorful! I love all preparations with chana dal in it. Pressure cooking does hasten cooking. Alternately, soak it for about an hour in warm water.
Srivalli says
This dal features quite frequently in our home. Love your clicks Nisha, makes it look so grand!..
Mayuri Patel says
Gujarati homes too prepare chana dal and lauki a lot. In my house, its like every 10 days or so this sabji is made. When I saw your post, I asked myself "how come I have not posted this filling and nutritious preparation as yet on my blog."
Harini says
I agree that it is a classic Punjabi Dal. Well presented. While South Indians use Toor dal, chana dal is more popular in the North.
Renu says
Awesome. Your pics and the dal looks amazing. I was also going to make this for the BM, but skipped it. I remember during my childhood days, I use to like this, as I did not like to eat dudhi plain 🙂
themadscientiststskitchen says
This is one awesome dal. I made it once and forgot about it. Thanks for reminding me the lauki in the kitchen gets a recipe. 😀
Priya Suresh says
Whenever i get lauki from Indian store,i dont forget to make this Lauki channa dal. This dal is a prefect pair for rotis, love it to the core Nisha. Catchy clicks there.
anshul123 says
Amazing blogg..!!
Fabulously delicious recipe it looks..
Gayathri Kumar says
Channa dhal usually takes a long time to cook, so even I prefer pressure cooking. This one with lauki looks awesome and is a wonderful side for rotis..