Anapakaya Pappu ~ Bottle Gourd in Lentils

Bottle gourd (anapakaya in Telugu, lauki in Hindi) also called nutritional gourd is a most common & important vegetable in Indian cooking. This contains over 90% of water, hence easy to digest. It is extremely popular for weight loss, especially the juice. Bottle gourd is known for reducing high blood pressure, and treats urinary disorders.

With all such values by virtue of its nature, don’t you think this can be used as part of your daily cooking? There are various delicious recipes one can make with this versatile veggie. A regular curry, dal, kheer / porridge, halwa / fudge are a few to mention. For now, add it to the regular plain dal and make something special for your family.

Ingredients

1/2 cup tur dal
1 cup cubed bottle gourd
1 green chilli
1 tomato, chopped
salt to taste
1/4 tsp red chilli powder

a pinch of turmeric powder

Tempering:

1 tsp oil

3-4 garlic cloves, roughly chopped

1/2 tsp cumin seeds

1/2 tsp mustard seeds

1 spring curry leaves

a pinch of asafetida

Method

• Rinse dal and soak for 15-20 min.
• In a pressure cooker add dal, cubed bottle gourd, slit green chilli, chopped tomato, and cook for 4-5 whistles or until soft.
• Heat oil in a pan, add mustard seeds and let them splutter, now add cumin seeds and allow crackling.
• Add asafoetida, chopped garlic, curry leaves, and sauté for a minute.
• Add the above tempering to the cooked dal along with red chilli powder, turmeric powder, salt, and mix well. 
• Set the consistency by adding little water and simmer for 5 min.
• Check the seasoning and switch off the flame.
• Garnish with coriander leaves.