Flavour Diary: Zucchini Chana Dal Curry Recipe | Vegetarian | Indian

After coming to foreign land and getting adjusted to various things coming in daily life was common. Experience the new taste of this part of the world was amazing and i was explored by all new veggies and fruits which were rarely or not seen in India at all, from Brussels sprouts, Grapefruit, Dragon Fruit and many more and Zucchini was one among it. Zucchini is also know as Courgette is a summer squash and is widely available in yellow and green colors in the stores.
I love this vegetable as i can use up in any form like in salads, breads, or in chocolate cake to hide it or use it up in indian style like in Dal Cha (its a tangy lentil curry accompaniment with rice) or in Chutney... yo i am using this veggie to full extent as we don't get regular Indian Squash near by.... I make many variations now and then but being a lazy person to capture the pic and publish but then here is my second recipe in curry way...check out the ingredients and easy steps to follow...

Level: easy

Cook time: 30 mins

serves:2-4

1 cup:250 ml
1 tablespoon: 15ml
1 teaspoon:5ml

Ingredients

Zucchini/ Courgettes : 500gm
Chana Dal/ Split Bengal Dal : 1/3 cup
Oil: 2 tablespoon
Onion: 1 medium
Ginger Garlic Paste: 1/2 tablespoon
Green Chillies: 2 (Split in half)
Mustard Seeds/Raya: 1/4 teaspoon
Cumin Seeds/Jeera: 1/2 teaspoon
Cumin Powder: 1/4 teaspoon
Garam Masala Powder: 1/4 teaspoon
Turmeric Powder: 1/4 teaspoon
Red Chilli Powder: 1/2 teaspoon (to taste)
Curry Leaves : 1 spring
Salt to taste
Fresh Chopped Coriander for garnish

Directions

Preparation:
Wash and Soak Chana Dal in warm water for 20 mins.
Wash and Peel the Zucchini and cut in 1 inch pieces or little smaller than that.
Cooking:
In a pressure cooker add soaked chana dal, 1/2 teaspoon of salt and water and pressure cook for 1 whistle.[Check tips for other option of cooking]
While your Chana Dal is cooking, take another pan, Add oil, when oil is hot add mustard seeds, when mustard seeds starts spluttering add cumin seeds, curry leaves, finely chopped onion.
Once the onion turns transperant add turmeric powder, split green chillies, ginger garlic paste and stir for a 30 secs .
Now add Chopped Zucchini,Salt, chilli powder and stir for 30 secs . Cover with lid and cook on medium flame until zucchini is 3/4th cooked and now add the cooked chana dal without water, cumin powder, garam masala powder and mix well and chana dal water/normal water for desired consistency. Close the lid and cook till Zucchini is completely cooked.
Garnish with chopped coriander and serve hot with phulka, roti, or plain white rice.

Tips

*You can cook Chana Dal/ Split Bengal gram in a pan instead of pressure: take a pan add soaked chana dal ,salt and water(water should be 2 inch above the dal) and close the lid and cook on medium low with close lid. Cook until the dal is cooked( when you press the dal in between index and thumb it should be pressed not mushy)

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