CHANA DAL WITH PUMPKIN

Preparation of CHANA DAL WITH PUMPKIN : 

It is one of favourite recipes from my mom's kitchen. I love it very much. It is simple in cooking n authentic in flavour. I bet you cant help licking your fingers.

Ingredients :

•    Chana dal (Bengal gram) - 1 cup
•    Pumpkin - 250 gm
•    Tomatoes - 2
•    Garlic - 3 pods
•    Ginger - 1" piece
•    Green chillies - 2
•    Curry leaves  - a bunch
•    Bay leaves - 2
•    Onion - 2
•    Turmeric powder - 1 tsp
•    Coriander powder - 2 tsp 
•    Red chilli powder - 1 tsp
•    Garam masala powder - 1 tsp
•    Oil - 2 tbsp
•    Coriander leaves - a bunch
•    Tamarind pulp - 1 tbsp
•    Salt to taste

Method : 

• Chop the onion and tomatoes. 
• Slit the chillies into halves. 
• Peel the pumpkin and remove the pith and cut the pumpkin into small pieces.
• Peel and grate the ginger.
• Peel and crush the garlic.
• Cook the chana dal in 4-5 cups of water till tender but not overcooked. Keep aside.
• Heat the oil,put bay leaves and fry the onion till it is light golden brown.
• Add the ginger, garlic and the tomatoes and fry for another minute.
• Mix in the pumpkin pieces and salt to taste and the turmeric powder,coriander powder,chilli powder and garam masala powder. 
• Add one cup of water and cover with a lid and cook over a medium heat till the pumpkin pieces are tender.
• Mix in the cooked dal and allow the dal to simmer. 
• Add the green chillies and the curry leaves. 
• Continue to simmer for 3-4 minutes.
• Mix in the tamarind pulp and cook for another minute.
• Garnish with chopped coriander leaves.
• Serve hot with rice or paranthas.

 Tip:  

• Tamaind  pulp is optional.You can use it if u like sour n tangy taste.I love to eat it with hot paranthas.

Do you know:

• Scientific name of Bengal gram flour : Cicer arietinum
• Scientific name of Pumpkin : Cucurbita maxima
• Bengal gram flour is an excellent source of fiber, protein and good source of magnesium. 
• Pumpkin is an excellent source of lutein and both alpha and beta carotene which generates Vitamin A in our body.
•  India supplies 80 - 90 % of world's supply of chickpeas(Bengal gram).
• United States, Mexico, India and China are the biggest producer of pumpkin.