Zaiqa

Todays meal consists of a simple comforting Turai ka saalan along with warm Phulka’s. 

Main Ingredients ~ Turai, Tomatoeas, Yellow Onions, Split Chana Dal

The split bengal gram/chane ki dal in this curry is cooked until it is just tender, but still holds its shape, and later allowed to cook furthur in the tomato-onion sauce of ridged gourd.

Ridged gourd, mainly an Indian vegetable, also called as Turai in Urdu, is mainly composed of water. When it is cooked in a tomato-onion sauce, it develops a delicious mellow flavor. Peel and discard the tough outer skin of Turai.

In some places, ridged gourd is also referred to as ‘Ribbed Gourd’.

Chopped and Peeled Turai

Baghari Turai aur Chane ki Dal ka Saalan – Split Bengal gram and Ridged Gourd Curry
Serves: 8 to 10

Ingredients:

Split Bengal gram/Chane ki dal – 1 cup
Canola oil – 2 tsp
Yellow Onion – 2, large, finely sliced
Tomatoes – 2, large, finely chopped
Salt – 1 tbsp
Red Chilli powder – 1 tbsp
Turmeric – 1/4 tsp
Cilantro – 2 tbsp, finely chopped
Green chillies – 3, small sized, each slit into two
Ridged Gourd/Turai – 6, medium sized, as shown in the picture

Baghari Turai aur Chane ki Dal ka Saalan

Method:

1. Soak the Chana dal overnight at room temperature, covered in surplus cool water in a bowl. The next day, drain and rinse the dal. Add the drained dal along with 2 cups fresh cool water and 1 tsp salt to a saucepan. Boil until the dal is just soft, but not at all mushy. Once done, remove the saucepan from heat and keep aside.
2. Meanwhile, wash the ridged gourd under fresh cool tap water. Pat dry with towels. Peel and discard the skin. Chop and discard the two ends and cut into quarters as shown in the picture. Keep aside.
3. In a pressure cooker at medium high heat, pour oil and as soon as it warms up, add the sliced onion and stir fry for 5 minutes. Once the onion is soft, add the chopped tomatoes, red chilli powder, salt, turmeric, cilantro, green chillies and stir well to mix. Cover with lid and let cook for 3 minutes. Add the chopped turai, and half cup water and pressure cook for around 5 minutes.
4. Add the chana dal with its water to the pressure cooker and cover it ajar with a lid, and let cook at medium heat for 10 more minutes or until the turai is tender. Serve immediately.

Suggested Accompaniments: Enjoy this simple vegetable+dal salaan with warm rice or roti for a delicious meal.

Luv,
Mona