Piyali's yummy platter

MOONG DAAL WITH LAUKI Step 1- take 1 cup of moong daal and wash it well. The add 1 .5 cups of water. Put salt and turmeric and boil. Wait for 2 whistles. Open after 10 mins when it cools down completely and mash the daal Step 2- cut bottle gourd in small julians/cubes. Wash and keep aside. Step 3 – heat the oil, add cumin seeds ( approx. 1 teaspoon) 2 dried chilli and pinch of asafoetida ( optional). Add the bottle gourd .. mix well and then add salt , turmeric and pinch of sugar. Cover and cook till the lauki gets soft. Step 3- when the bottle gourd is soft, add 1 tablespoon of ginger paste and 1 tablespoon of cumin powder. Mix well .. and cover. After some time add tomato puree or tomato cubes cut finely. Mix everything well and let it cook .. Step 4. – add the cooked daal. And let the water evaporate by half. At this stage, add garam masala and turn off the gas. Cover and keep aside. Step 5 ( optional for better taste)- heat some ghee, add red chilli powder and immediately turn off the gas. Add this directly over the cooked daal.. add coriander leaves and serve with roti or rice.