Lauki Chana Dal Curry is a comforting and wholesome Indian dish made with lauki (bottle gourd) and chana dal (split Bengal gram).
Cook soaked chana dal and lauki together with spices to create a nourishing curry, it is best to accompany with roti, chapati and jeera rice.
This is the one dish combines nutrition, simplicity and gentle flavors. It is a very popular recipe in many Indian homes.
Lauki has a soft texture and naturally high water content, which makes it ideal for curries and stews.
Although bottle gourd has a mild taste on its own, it absorbs spices beautifully and becomes flavorful when cooked. Chana dal adds richness, texture, and protein, balancing the softness of the lauki with a pleasant bite.
Peel the fresh lauki and cut into bite size cubes. Soak chana dal for at least 3 to 4 hours to cook softly. Temper the curry using ghee and cumin seeds to get the best flavor of it.
Sautee finely chopped onions and tomatoes with a spoon of ginger garlic pasteand slit green chillis. Add soaked chana dal, lauki with blended spices and pressure cook till it turn soft and mushy.
A blend of common Indian spices such as turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder, and garam masala is mixed into the base gives a kick to it.
The final curry has a medium-thick consistency with soft pieces of bottle gourd and cooked lentils distributed throughout the gravy. Fresh coriander leaves are commonly added at the end for freshness.
Lauki Chana Dal Curry is appreciated not only for its taste but also for its nutritional value. Bottle gourd is light and hydrating, while chana dal provides plant-based protein, fiber, and essential nutrients. Together, they create a balanced meal that feels satisfying without being heavy.
This curry pairs especially well with steamed rice, jeera rice, chapati, phulka, or soft rotis. Some people also enjoy it with a spoon of ghee on top and a side of pickle or yogurt.
Other curry recipes for roti:
Key Ingredients in Lauki Chana dal curry:
Lauki/Sorakaya: Sorakaya (Bottle gourd) – peeled and finely chopped – 3 inches long
Chana Dal: Soak 2 tbsp 3 hours before cooking.
Spices: Use garam masala powder, coriander powder, red chili powder and ginger garlic paste.
Why is it a healthy choice:
- Highly Hydrating: Bottle gourd consists of 96% water, making it excellent for cooling the body, aiding digestion, and maintaining urinary health.
- Rich in Protein: The addition of chana dal bumps up the protein and dietary fiber content, keeping you full for longer periods.
- Low in Calories: It is a perfect dish for weight management and managing blood sugar levels, as it has a low glycemic index.
- Heart-Healthy Spice Blend: Traditional tempering elements like cumin, mustard seeds, turmeric, and fresh curry leaves provide strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits.
Simple, comforting, and nourishing, Lauki Chana Dal Curry remains a timeless dish that brings everyday ingredients together into a flavorful and satisfying meal.
Lauki Chana dal curry | Sorakaya SenagaPappu Curry
Ingredients
- 3 Cups Lauki pieces
- 1/2 Cup Chana Dal
- 1 Onion
- 1 Tomato
- Salt to taste
- 1 tsp Turmeric Powder
- 1 tsp Coriander Powder
- 1 tsp Red Chilli Powder
- 1 tsp Garam Masala
- 1 tsp Ginger Garlic Paste
- 2 tbsp Oil/Ghee
- 1 tsp Cumin Seeds
Instructions
- Soak chana dal for 3 to 4 hours.
- Peel and cut lauki into bite size cubes.
- Chop onion and tomato.
- Slit green chillis.
- Heat oil or ghee in a pressure pan, add cumin seeds.
- Allow them to splutter and add slit green chillis.
- Saute them and add onion.
- Fry them till they turn translucent.
- Add ginger garlic paste, and sautee till the raw smell goes off.
- Add tomatoes and fry till they turn mushy.
- Add lauki pieces, soaked chana dal.
- Add salt, turmeric powder and all other spices.
- Add red chillis powder, coriander powder and garam masala.
- Combine all of them well and add 1 cup of water.
- Pressure cook for 3 to 5 whistles or till the lauki cooks well.
- Switch off the flame and let pan cools automatically.
- Open the lid and mix it well and let it cook for another 5 minutes on a low flame.
- Let the excess water present in the curry reduces and oil separates.
- Transfer the lauki chana dal curry into serving bowl.
- Sprinkle it with freshly chopped coriander leaves.
- Serve lauki chana dal curry with rice, roti, chapati or jeera rice.