Toor Moong Bottle Gourd Dal

Toor -Moong Dal is a gravy dish. It is an easy dish. This combination of Toor dal, Whole Moong and Bottle gourd mixes well with each other and the dal turns really healthy and tasty. Bottle gourd, Whole Moong, Toor curry goes well with Chapatis, rotis, poori, dosa, idli. rice and even bread toast.

Now lets see some benefits of Bottle gourd, Whole Moong and Toor Dal.
Bottle gourd is one of the healthiest vegetable. Ayureveda recommends cooked bottle gourd for better digestion. It is cooling, calming and anty bilious. Bottle gourd supports the utriary system of our body and it reduces the chances of urinary infections. Bottle gourd contains many vitamins and minerals, like calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, Vitamin A, C and folate. Bottle gourd is good for reducing high blood pressure and diabetes. It is known for its healthy digestion and the best remedy for constipation.

Whole Moong is loaded with Vitamins and Minerals. It is rich in Vitamin A, B, C, and E. and minerals, like iron, calcium and Potassium. It is a powerful source of vegetarian protein. Green Moong is full of complex carbohydrates in form of high fiber which helps in digestion. It also stabilizes blood sugar and controls the sugar level after food.It can be highly beneficial for people having a high blood sugar. It is a low fat food rich in proteins and flibre. It also helps to lower the high cholesterol level in the blood system.

Toor Dal contains plant protein, low fat and low cholesterol. It provides carbohydrates, fiber and flolic acid.

Here is a recipe of Toor Moong Bottle Gourd Dal. This dish will be loved by the whole family of all age group. We can prepare this dish during special days and fasting days. It will be very nutritious dish and not much of spice in it. 

Things Needed :

Whole Moong : 1 Cup
Toor Dal : 1/2 Cup
Bottle Gourd : 1 Big bowl (1/2 of big bottle gourd).
Green chilly : 2
Jeera : 1/2 Tea spoon
Methi seeds : 1/4 Tea spoon
Pepper Pods : 5 to 6
Curry Leaves : 6 to 8
Coriander Leaves : 3 Table spoons.
Ingh (Asafoetida)  : a pinch
Salt : required
Ginger : 1 Tea spoon
Coconut : 1 Table spoon
Lemon : 1 Lemon Extract (juice)
Oil : 1 Tea spoon
Ghee : 1 Table spoon
Turmeric Powder : a pinch

Method :

1. Wash and cook Dal, Whole Moong and bottle gourd separately. You can cook Whole Moong and Dal in pressure cooker. Leave it for cooling.

2. Wash and cut green chilly, Coriander leaves and curry leaves.

3. Wash and remove the skin of ginger and grate ginger and coconut. Crush pepper seeds and keep it aside.

4. Now keep a pan on the fire and heat. Put oil, methi seeds and fry in oil. Add jeera when the methi seeds turn brown.

5. Add pepper pods, green chilly,ingh and curry leaves. Fry for 2 to 3 seconds. Add cooked Whole Moong and Toor Dal.
6. Add cooked bottle gourd, ginger

 7. Add turmeric powder and mix it well. Let it cook on low flame for 5 minutes. Stir in between.

8. Put off the gas and add lemon juice to the mixture. Add coriander leaves and ghee. Mix it nicely.

9. Shift the dal in a serving bowl and add coriander leaves and fresh coconut
10. Serve with the main dish you prepared.

Note: 

Using onions and garlic is optional. Using coconut is also optional. You can use 1/2 tea spoon of garam masala to the dal. But it taste differ. You can also use more green chilly or red chilly powder to make it more spicy. You can also soak Whole Moong over night and then use it for cooking. (I have not soaked whole moong, I just washed and cooked it straight away). Use water if you think dal is too thick.
Time : 30 Minutes.
Serves : 5 to 6