Cucumber Dal

Cucumber Dal is a gravy dish. This Cucumber dal goes well with almost all dishes like plain or masala rice, chapatis, idli, dosa etc. This can be prepared quickly and taste really nice. Normally cucumber is used as raw with salads, raitha (along with curd) and chutneys etc.

 Lets see some benefits of eating cucumber.
Cucumber contain mostly water and eating them on a hot summer day definitely help you and take care of you from dehydrated. It also contain Vitamin K and Vitamin B. Cucumber is a rich source of minerals like copper, potassium, vitamin C and manganese. Cucumbers contain anti inflammatory compound and it helps to take care of  our brain health. It helps to improve our memory and protecting our nerve cells. Cucumber helps to fight inflammation. Cucumbers contain numerous anti oxidants including Vitamin C and beta carotene. It helps to freshen our breath. According to Ayurveda, eating cucumber will help to release excess heat in our stomach which is the reason for the bad breath. Cucumbers contain multiple B Vitamins and they help to reduce the feeling of anxiety and stress. They are rich in water and in soluble fiber and it help to support the digestive system.
Cucumber Dal is easy to prepare and No Onion or No Garlic in this curry. I have used dal, some simple spices and little milk is added.

Things Needed : 

Cucumber : 2 to 3
Green Chilly : 2
Toor dal : 1 Small cup
Ginger : 1 Teaspoon 
Milk : 1 Small cup
Oil : 1/2 Teaspoon
Ghee : 1 Teaspoon
Ingh : a pinch
Turmeric Powder : a pinch
Mustard seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Jeera/Cumin Seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Curry leaves : 6 to 8
Coriander Leaves : 1 to 2 Tablespoons
Salt : as required 

Method :

1. Wash and pressure cook toor/moong dal for at least 5 to 6 minutes. Leave it for cooling.

2. Wash and cut cucumber, green chilly, coriander leaves and keep it aside. Crush pepper pods and keep it aside. 

3. Wash ginger,  remove the outer skin and then wash again and grate and keep it aside.
4. Now Keep a pan on the fire and heat. Add oil, mustard seeds and let it splutter.
5. Add jeera, crushed pepper and ingh.
6. Add cut cucumber and fry for 1 minute. Add water and let it cook till soft.

7. Add cooked dal, green chilly, turmeric powder and salt. Mix it well.

8. Add grated ginger and cook for 2 minutes. (on low flame).

9. Add a cup of boiled milk and mix it again. Let it cook for a minute.

 10. Shift the dish to a serving bowl and add cut coriander leaves and ghee.  

11. Cucumber Dal is ready to serve. Serve with hot rice or chapati or  wish of your main dish.
12. Mix it again just before you serve.

Note :

Cut cucumber with skin and cook. Add dals and other spices when it is half cooked. Adding milk is optional. No lemon or tamarind is added to this curry. (optional). Adding onions or garlic is optional. Adding any other spices like garam masala or chat masala is also optional.
Wash cucumber thoroughly and keep them in water at least half an hour and then wash it again. It helps to remove the pesticide or chemical on any vegetable.
Time : 3o Minutes
Serves : 2 to 3