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Instant Pot Lauki Chana Dal served in a glass bowl.

Lauki Chana Dal (Instant Pot & Pressure Cooker method)

Instant Pot Lauki Chana Dal is a simple and healthy no-onion no-garlic curry made using Lauki or Dudhi, chana dal, and a few spices.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Soaking Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 Cup chopped Lauki/Dudhi/Bottle Gourd
  • ½ Cup soaked Split Bengal Gram (Chana dal) ¼ cup dry will make ½ cup soaked
  • 1 tablespoon Oil/ghee
  • 1 teaspoon Cumin seeds
  • ½ teaspoon Turmeric powder
  • 1-2 Green Chilli
  • Salt
  • ½ cup chopped or grated tomato
  • ⅛ teaspoon asafoetida
  • 2 cup water
  • ¼ cup Freshly chopped coriander

Instructions

  • Ingredients for Lauki Chana Dal seen on a table.

Instant Pot Method

  • Switch on the Instant Pot.
  • Put it on saute mode for 20 minutes.
  • Add Oil/ghee
    1 tablespoon Oil/ghee
  • Once hot add asafotedia and cumin seeds and let it splutter. (See notes for asafoetida )
    ⅛ teaspoon asafoetida, 1 teaspoon Cumin seeds
  • Now add green chili, tomatoes, turmeric powder, and a little salt.
    ½ teaspoon Turmeric powder, 1-2 Green Chilli, ½ cup chopped or grated tomato, Salt
  • Let this cook until tomatoes start releasing oil.
  • Now add the chopped lauki and mix everything.
    2 Cup chopped Lauki/Dudhi/Bottle Gourd
    Cut Doodhi or Lauki
  • Cooking of Lauki and Dal in Instant Pot
  • Add the rinsed and soaked chana dal., and let it cook for 1-2 minutes.
    ½ Cup soaked Split Bengal Gram (Chana dal)
    Adding of Split Bengal Gram in Instant Pot
  • Add salt, water, and fresh coriander.
    Salt, 2 cup water, ¼ cup Freshly chopped coriander
  • Mix everything and close the lid.
  • Cancel the saute mode and switch the Instant Pot on high on the pressure cooker mod (Vent on sealing) e for 12 minutes. (If your dal takes longer to cook, put it on the Instant Pot for around 18-20 minutes).
  • Once the Instant Pot turns off, let the pressure release naturally.
  • Open the lid once the pin has dropped.
    Dudhi Chana Dal Ready to be cooked in Instant Pot.

Pressure Cooker method

  • Switch on the stove and put on the pressure cooker without the lid.
  • Add Oil/ghee
    1 tablespoon Oil/ghee
  • Once hot add cumin seeds and let it splutter.
    1 teaspoon Cumin seeds
  • Now add green chili, tomatoes, turmeric powder, and a little salt.
    ½ teaspoon Turmeric powder, 1-2 Green Chilli, ½ cup chopped or grated tomato, Salt
  • Let this cook until tomatoes start releasing oil.
  • Now add the chopped lauki and mix everything.
    2 Cup chopped Lauki/Dudhi/Bottle Gourd
  • Add the rinsed and soaked chana dal., and let it cook for 1-2 minutes.
    ½ Cup soaked Split Bengal Gram (Chana dal)
  • Add salt, water, and fresh coriander.
    Salt, 2 cup water, ¼ cup Freshly chopped coriander
  • Mix everything.
  • Close the lid and cook it for 3-4 whistles or according to your pressure cooker settings. (Sometimes the chana dala takes a bit longer to cook.)
  • Once done let the pressure release naturally.
  • Open the lid.
  • Serve it with roti or steamed rice.

Notes

  • Standard US Size Cups and Spoons Used. 1 Cup = 240 ml, 1 tbsp = 15 ml, 1 tsp = 5 ml
  • Measurements are just a guide, one can change as per your taste
  • Soaking chana dal is preferred as it reduces the cooking time and soaking dal helps.
  • If not soaking, the time to cook the dal will vary.
  • Asafoetida (Hing) powder available in shops contains wheat and is not gluten-free. Gluten-intolerant’s can either skip completely or opt for Gluten Free Asafoetida (Hing)