Lauki is a wonderfully delicious vegetable and continues to be one of my favourites. Also known as Bottle Gourd, this vegetable is 96% water but full of health benefits with healing properties. I have made many variations of it ranging from Kashmir down to the south.

This is pretty common in indian household and is rich in plant based protein and nutrients

I bottle gourd or Lauki ( peeled and sliced in chunks)

I cup Chana Dal

fresh herbs – curry leaves, mint and cilantro

lemon or lime

2 whole red dried chillis, 1 tsp cumin seeds, 1 tsp tumeric, 1 tsp coriander powder, 1 tsp cumin seeds, pinch of  asafoetida(hing), 1/2 tsp red chilli powder, 1 cup of chopped tomatoes.

Soak chana dal in water for a couple of hours . Drain. Boil chana dal and lauki with salt, turmeric powder and one cup of water till done ( I used a pressure cooked for about 5-7 minutes).  Heat oil in a pan. Add cumin seeds, red chillies and asafoetida and cook for a minute. Add red chilli powder, coriander power. Add tomatoes and cook till they soften and there is a sauce like consistency. Add the cooked chana dal and lauki and stir. Add fresh chopped mint, cilantro and juice of 1 lime. You can also top it with some curry leaves if you have them

Serve hot with bread or rice.