Split Bengal Gram Lentil

Name: Split Bengal Gram Lentil
Ingredients: 1 cup split Bengal gram lentil, called chana dal or cholar dal; 1/2 of a 8-inch bottle gourd, called lauki, peeled and cubed; 1 teaspoon cumin seeds; 1/4 teaspoon asafoetida, called heeng; 3-4 cloves; 1 inch piece of cinnamon; 1 teaspoon turmeric powder; 1 tablespoon clarified butter, called ghee (preferred) or oil; salt to taste

9 ingredients

2 steps

Ingredients

1 cup split Bengal gram lentil, called chana dal or cholar dal
1/2 of a 8-inch bottle gourd, called lauki, peeled and cubed
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1/4 teaspoon asafoetida, called heeng
3-4 cloves
1 inch piece of cinnamon
1 teaspoon turmeric powder
1 tablespoon clarified butter, called ghee (preferred) or oil
salt to taste

Directions

1

Before beginning, wash and then soak the lentils in water for an hour. Discard the water, and place the lentils and the chopped bottle gourd pieces in a pressure cooker. Add enough water to cover the lentils, such that the water level reaches about 1/4 inch above the lentils. At medium heat, wait for 3 whistles on the cooker, which is about 15 minutes of cooking time. Turn off the heat and put the cooker aside. Wait for the steam to release entirely before removing the lid. At this point the lentil and the bottle gourd should be soft and mash easily between your fingertips.
2

Heat the ghee or oil in a separate heavy bottomed pot. When the ghee is hot, add the asafoetida and cumin seeds, along with the cinnamon stick and cloves. The cumin seeds should sputter a little. Immediately add the boiled lentil and bottle gourd mixture and stir. Add turmeric and salt and some water if too dry, and bring to boil on medium heat. Cook for a few minutes, before removing from the heat. You can add a pinch of garam masala if available, a squeeze of lemon and chopped coriander to serve.