When it is time to decide what to make for dinner, my first thought is some kind of dal. We love dal with rice as well as roti and also drink it as a soup. Being vegetarians, we rely quite a bit on different dal recipes for our protein. Masoor dal also known as Red lentils or orange lentils is extremely nutritious and very flavorful. One of my favorite recipes to make with Masoor dal is the Middle Eastern Vegan Lentil Soup. Apart from it, I also make a Masoor dal chutney that is extremely delicious when paired with idli or dosai. Lauki, is one of our favorite vegetables to grow and eat. I grew up in North India and that is how I adapted to eating lauki. Lauki chana dal subzi and the lauki subzi with peanuts and sesame seeds are two of the very common curry recipes that I make. I also freeze quite a bit of bottle gourd to make these subzis during winter months. The frozen lauki also works wonderfully for this Lauki dal recipe. I have used Masoor dal to make this recipe, but I have made it with other lentils as well and it works equally well.
Why make this recipe?
I love making dal and chawal / rice for dinner. It is one of the most comforting recipes to eat after a long day. Dal tadka is a great source of protein for vegetarians/vegans. Adding a vegetable like lauki / bottle gourd makes it even healthier. This Lauki dal tadka is a great recipe to feed toddlers as well as the elderly. It is easy to chew and digest. Instant pot makes the whole process much easier. It is a one-pot recipe and literally a dump-and-go recipe. That makes it a preferred dish to make for weeknight dinners. This Dudhi dal tadka is gluten-free and Vegan.
Ingredients and Substitutes
Check the recipe card at the bottom of the page for exact measurements and printable detailed recipes.
Lentil - I have used Masoor dal also known by names such as orange lentils, pink lentils, or red lentils. You could use any other lentils like Moong dal, toor dal, or even a mix of all three lentils.
Lauki / Dudhi / Bottle gourd - We will be using chopped bottle gourd in the recipe.
Other vegetables - tomatoes, onion, green chilies, and ginger. And we will also be using cilantro for garnish.
Spices - Cumin seeds, turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder, and salt.
Oil - You could use any cooking oil. I like to use olive oil or coconut oil if I am keeping it vegan. If I am not making it as a vegan recipe, I like to use a little ghee when making the final tadka / seasoning.
Step-by-step process
Heat the instant pot in saute mode. Add oil to the inner pot and let it heat up.
Add the cumin seeds and let it crackle.
Then add the chopped onions and fry them until translucent.
Ginger and green chilies go in next. Mix it well and let it fry for about 30 seconds.
Now add the tomatoes and let them cook for about 2 to 3 minutes.
Add all the spice powders - turmeric powder, chili powder, coriander powder, and salt. Mix well and let it fry for about 5 minutes.
Wash and drain the masoor dal. Add the drained lentil and chopped lauki to the instant pot and mix well.
Add the water needed to the dal and close the lid.
Turn off the instant pot from saute mode and set it on manual/pressure cook for 10 minutes.
Once the Instant pot turns off, let the pressure release naturally. Open the pot and mix everything well to combine. You could mash the lentil with the back of the spoon if you prefer smoother dal.
Adjust the consistency by adding a little more water if the dal appears too thick.
I like to do a tadka / seasoning at the end. Heat oil or ghee in a small pan and add ½ teaspoon of cumin seeds. Add ½ teaspoon red chili powder and then pour it on top of the cooked Lauki dal.
Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve warm with rice or roti.
Expert Tips
We can swap bottle gourd for other vegetables such as spinach, ridge gourd, raw mangoes, or methi. Add a little less water than usual as the bottle gourd lets out quite a bit of liquid. Adding a tadka / seasoning at the end is optional. I like the smoky flavor that it adds to the dal. We could make the Masoor dal tadka in the regular pressure cooker as well or it also cooks well on the stovetop.
Frequently asked questions
More Dal recipes
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