Vegetarian Dalcha

Dalcha is a healthy dish very hard to resist with it's unique flavours of lentil combined with spices and bottlegourd. My Mom makes dalcha with mutton and red lentils (masoor dal). I learnt this slightly different veg version of dalcha from my MIL and I am totally in love with this dish. It is among the most popular dishes from my MIL and again one of my family favorites. Believe me, this recipe is definitely worth-trying. 

Ingredients:-

• 1 cup bottlegourd (peeled & chopped)
• ½ cup split pigeon pea / tuar dar 
• 3 green chillies (slit)
• 3 big tomatoes (chopped) 
• 2 onions (finely chopped)
• 2 bayleaves  
• 1 sprig curry leaves
• 2 tbsp oil 
• 1½ tsp coriander powder 
• 1 tsp red chilli powder 
• 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
• 1 tsp clarified butter / ghee
• ½ tsp turmeric powder
• ½ tsp all spice powder
• ½ tsp mustard seeds
• salt to taste
• few chopped coriander leaves (for garnishing)

Method:-

• Wash the dal well.
• Pressure cook along with 2 cups water, ¼ tsp turmeric powder, ½ tsp red chilli powder and green chillies.
• After whistle, simmer  for 7-10 minutes and remove.
• Whisk the dal well and keep aside.
• In a wok, heat oil.
• Add onions and bayleaves.
• Fry till onions turn golden brown.
• Add ginger-garlic paste, tomatoes, ¼ tsp turmeric powder, ½ tsp red chilli powder, coriander powder, all spice powder and salt.
• Mix well and simmer along with 2 tbsp water.
• When oil separates and tomatoes are tender, add chopped bottlegourd and ½ cup water.
• Simmer on slow flame till bottle-gourd is almost tender.
• Add the whisked dal and bring it to boil.
• Simmer flame. Cover and cook for 8-10 mins.
• In a pan, heat clarified butter.
• Add mustard seeds and curry leaves.
• Fry till the seeds splutter.
• Pour this tempering over the dal. 
• Garnish with coriander leaves.
• Serve with baghaare chawal or plain rice.

Notes:-

• You may add ½ kg mutton after the onion turns brown and cook in the same way for non-veg version. Just increase the spices a bit.

Happy Cooking!! 

Sending this entry to :- Dish it Out – Lentils/Legumes and Mission Explore Food : Lentils & CookCookandCook & Thoushaltcook and Spotlight: Beans & Lentil