Lauki wali dal / Split lentil soup with gourd

In indian homes we all cook dal and i use lot of vegetables  in it and the inspiration is my mom. When we were kids the vegetables which we did liked to eat mom will cook it with dal :). And we will eat the dal without even knowing its there. In this recipe i have cooked the dal with lauki / gourd because my husband hates lauki ki sabzi so i now a days cook it with dal . Here is the one more recipe from the thali (platter) in last post.

Toor Dal/ Any split lentil - 1/2 cup
Lauki / Any vegetable  - 1 cup , cut into small pieces.
Tomato - 1 cup , chopped
Garlic Cloves - 6
Hot green chilli - 4 or to taste ,chopped
Hing(optional) - 1/4 tsp
Turmeric Powder - 1/4 tsp
Oil/Ghee - 2 tsp
Mustard Seeds - 1/2 tsp
Cumin Seeds - 1/2 tsp
Salt to taste

1. Wash and cook the dal, lauki(any vegetable),tomato,garlic,chilli,turmeric,hing .
2. I usually will pressure cook the dal for 2-3 whistles or for 10 minutes.
3. When dal is very tender mash the mixture well with a ladel and add salt to taste.
4. Keep the mixture back on fire to simmer.
5. Heat ghee/oil and add mustard seeds when the start to pop add cumin.
6. Cook for 30 seconds and add to the simmering mixture and switch of the flame.
7. Serve the rice or roti

Sending this to MLLA - 28 at Dil se

Pudina Chutney / Mint Dip

Mint is one of those herbs which is very easily available in India and so very popular and chutney is my favorite preparation to make.  We all make all kinds of chutneys , rice , paratha and drinks. This is one of my favorite. I just love to serve it with warm rice and ghee . Goes well with crackers and chips too. Mix a tbsp of chutney with 1/4 cup yogurt and you have a wonderful dip.

 Mint Leaves - 1 cup

 Urad Dal - 1 tsp

 Hot Green Chili - 2 , slit into half

 Coconut - 1 tsp

 Salt - 1/4 tsp

 Tamarind Pulp - 1/8 tsp or a 1/4 inch piece

 Oil  - 1/2 tsp

1.  Heat oil in a pan and urad dal and let it turn golden.
2. Add coconut , green chilli and tamarind and cook for a minute.
3. Add the mint leaves and switch of the flame and let the leaves wilt a little.
4. When cooled add salt and grind without water if possible and serve 

Simple Palak Curry / Sauteed Spinach in mild spicy gravy

I love palak and often cook with it . This preparation is very simple and requires very few ingredients.

Palak/Spinach  - 4 cup ,chopped very fine

Onion - 1/2 cup ,chopped fine

Tomato - 3/4 cup , chopped fine

Ginger Garlic Paste - 1/2 tsp

Chilli Pw - 1 tsp

Turmeric - 1/4 tsp

Garam Masala - 1/4tsp

Oil - 2 tbsp

Butter - 1 tbsp

Paneer - 2 tbsp  gratted

1. Heat oil and add ginger garlic paste and cook for a minute.
2. Add onion and cook till translucent.
3. Add chilli pw and turmeric pw and cook for another minute.
4. Add tomato and cook till oil starts to separate.
5. Add palak and cook till tender .
6. Add garam masala and butter and remove from heat.
7. Garnish with gratted paneer.