Lauki with Chana Dal

Ingredients
Lauki/bottle gourd 1 medium
Chana dal 1/2 cup
Onion 1 chopped
Tomato 1 chopped
Cumin seeds 1/2 tsp
Hing a pinch
Whole  Red chillies 2
Ginger paste 1/2 tsp
Garlic 2 cloves chopped
Turmeric powder 1/4 tsp
Red chilli powder 1/2 tsp
Garam masala 1/2 tsp
Salt to taste
Oil 3 tbsp
Dry mango powder 1/2 tsp
Cilantro finely chopped

Method
Wash and soak chana dal for 2 hrs
Peel, wash and cut bottle gourd into ½ inch cubes.
Heat oil in a pressure cooker
Add the cumin seeds. Once they sizzle add hing, ginger, garlic and whole red chilies
Stir for few seconds.
Add chopped onions and salt.
Saute till translucent
Add tomatoes and cook till they become soft
Add chana dal, lauki, red chilli, turmeric powder and garam masala
Add 1 cup of water. It can be adjusted
Cook till 2 whistles
Add dry mango powder and cilantro
Serve hot with roti/paratha

Cooking Time - 15 mins
Servings - 4

Masoor Dal Fry

Ingredients
Whole Masoor dal 1 cup
Onion  1 chopped
Tomato 1 pureed
Garlic 4 cloves chopped
Ginger paste 1/2 tsp
Cumin seeds 1/2 tsp
Mustard seeds 1/2 tsp
Green chillies 2 chopped
Curry leaves 5
Garam masala 1/2 tsp
Red Chilli powder 1/2 tsp
Hing a pinch
Butter 2 tbsp
Oil 1 tbsp
Salt to taste
Lemon juice 1/2 tsp
Kasoori methi 1/2 tsp
Cilantro finely chopped

Method
Soak the masoor dal for 4 hrs.
Pressure cook the dal with salt until 4 whistles.
Heat butter and oil in a pan. Add cumin and mustard seeds.
Once they sizzle add hing, ginger, garlic, green chillies, curry leaves
Saute for a min and add onions
Sauté till golden brown
Add tomato puree. Mix well. Adjust salt
Add Red chilli powder and garam masala
Cook till oil leaves the masala.
Add boiled dal with lemon juice and kasoori methi
Simmer on low heat for 10 mins
Garnish with cilantro
Serve hot with steamed rice

Cooking Time - 30 mins
Servings - 4