Bottlegourd/Dhoodi simmered with chana/gram dal and spices, makes a delicious and nutritious meal along with bhakri or plain parathas.

Servings : 4

Ingredients
1 cup bottle gourd (lauki/doodhi), cut in cubes 
1/2 cup split Bengal gram/chana dal
1/4 teaspoon asafoetida
1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
4-5 curry leaves
1 teaspoon grated ginger
1 green chilli slit
2 bay leaves
1/2 teaspoon garam masala powder
1 teaspoon red chilli powder (less or more according to taste)
1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
1 teaspoon sugar (optional)
Salt to taste
2 tablespoons freshly chopped coariander leaves

Method
Wash and soak chana dal in one and a half cups of water for an hour. Cook the chana dal adding enough water in a cooking pot or a pressure cooker until tender and soft. Dont let it become mushy. 

Heat oil in a sauce pan; add asafoetida, mustard seeds, cumin seeds, curry leaves, ginger, and sauté until they start to crackle. Add the bottle gourd, turmeric powder, salt, bay leaf, green chilli and stir. Simmer covered with 1/4 cup of water until the bottle gourd gets tender. 

Add the cooked channa dal, red chilli powder, sugar and garam masala powder. Simmer covered for 10 minutes. Garnish with coriander leaves and serve hot with bhakri, phulka's or plain parathas.