Pointed Gourd, carrots, pearl onions, red lentils stew –chapathi special side dish

Ingredients

• 4 pointed gourds. Slit lengthwise
• 2 c carrots, chopped
• 16 pearl onion
• 5 Garlic cloves,
• 2 Green chilies, chopped
• 2 c masoor dal/red lentil
• 1/4 cup sesame seed oil
• 1 tsp fennel seeds
• 1 tsp mustard seeds
• 1/2 tsp methi seeds
• 1/2 tsp hing, asafetida
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 c curry leaves
• 1 teaspoon salt/to taste
• Salt to tastel

Steps

1. Make a checklist. Keep the necessary items nearby
2. Make a checklist. Keep the necessary items nearby
3. In a heavy saucepan over medium heat add the oil,. Add the mustard seeds, let it splutter, stir in Fennel, hing, methi and red chilies. Sauté Onions, garlic, green chilies, and curry leaves. Add turmeric 3-4 minutes. Add the pointed gourd and carrot. Sauté 3-4 minutes.
4. Stir; cook for 3-4 mins. Add 5 cups of water, bring it to boil. Add masoor dal, after a couple of minutes reduce the heat medium low. Cook covered. when the dall gets soft stir in the spice powders. After a few minutes stir to blend all flavors. Salt to taste. Garnish with chopped clantro Turn off the stove.
5. You may transfer the lentil stew to a serving bowl. Serve the spicy aromatic flavorful, healthy lentil stew as side dish to chapathies