CHANA LAUKI SABZI /BOTTLE GOURD VEGETABLE / BLACK CHANA LAUKI

Many kids don't like bottle-gourd because of it 's natural blandness in taste. Most of us either make it plain as dry vegetable or with chana dal as wet vegetable. But this time I tried making this with black chana. This vegetable is not only very healthy but tastes great too. It's a yummy change for kids, specially for those who are not very fond of lauki.

Serves: 4-5 medium sized bowls
INGREDIENTS 
1/2 cup kala chana (brown chickpeas)
1 cup chopped bottle gourd (Lauki / Gheeya)
1 medium sized chopped potato
2 medium sized finely chopped onion
2 medium sized finely chopped tomatoes
1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
1 tsp turmeric powder (haldi powder)
1 tsp coriander powder (dhaniya powder)

1/2 tsp cumin seeds (jeera)
1/2 tsp all - spice powder (garam masala)
2-3 tbsp oil or ghee
salt and red chilli to taste

METHOD:
Wash and soak chana overnight. Next morning transfer peas in pressure cooker with 1 cup water and cook till done. Let pressure cooker de-pressurise naturally.

Add chopped bottle gourd, potatoes, salt and 1/2 tsp turmeric powder. Give 2 whistles on high flame. Turn off the flame and keep aside.

In  a pan, add ghee or oil, put cumin seeds. Let it splutter.

Add chopped onion. Saute till golden in color. Add ginger-garlic paste. Saute for 2-3 minutes.

Add red chilli, coriander powder, garam masala and 1/2 tsp turmeric powder. Mix well. Add chopped tomatoes. Cover and cook till tomatoes become soft and tender. 

Open the bottle gourd and chana cooker. Mix onion-tomato paste in it and simmer for 2-3 minutes.

Garnish with coriander leaves and serve hot with chapatis.