Ridge Gourd Dal is a simple lentil soup that can be made very quickly.
This is a great soup for cold winter nights; serve this dal with hot,
steaming rice or with Indian roti.
This is an easy pressure-cooker recipe.
Cooking Tip
Be sure to taste the ridge gourd and make sure it's not bitter.
Servings: 4 Cooking Time: 15
minutes
Ingredients
2 1/2 cups ridge gourd, peeled and cut into 1-inch
pieces
Turmeric powder, a pinch
1 cup moong dal (split mung beans)
Salt to taste
For Seasoning
3 tsp vegetable oil
Asafoetida powder (hing), a pinch
2 tsp urad dal (split black gram)
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp mustard seeds
2 red chillies, cut into pieces
1/2 tsp red chilli powder
5-6 curry leaves
Preparation
Wash the moong dal a couple of times and cook it with
2 cups of water,
along with the ridge gourd pieces, a pinch of turmeric, and 1/2 tsp oil
in a pressure
cooker for 3 whistles or about 7-8 minutes. Or, boil the
ridge gourd pieces separately in a saucepan with 2 cups of water, some
salt, and turmeric powder.
In a small pan, heat oil for the seasoning. Add the
asafoetida powder
and urad dal and fry for a couple minutes. As the dal starts to turn
golden brown, add the cumin and mustard seeds. When the seeds start to
pop, add the red chilli pieces and fry for a few seconds. Add the curry
leaves and chilli powder, and pour the seasoning over the ridge gourd
dal.
Check the salt and simmer the ridge gourd dal until
it comes to a boil.
Serve the ridge gourd dal, hot, with rice and ghee or
with roti.