Friday, December 4, 2009

Dudhi Chana Nu Shaak - A Gujarati Speciality (Bottlegourd and Bengal gram curry)

Dear All,

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I know I have been away for quite some time, but now I am back!! Taking a break was never my decision, neither was i lazy but right now there is just too much on my plate to handle. December being the month of marriages for the next three weekends i'll be busy attending marriages and other wedding functions. I love all the "rasams and rivaaz" that take place during the wedding, all the colorful decorations, the mehendi rasam and how can we forget dandiya :-) Family functions are also the occassions where all the singles in the family are targetted especially if you have crossed the average age of getting married which is again defined by the society :-((( It just doesnt stop here, even after you get married they'll be behind you to start a family..ah well I can dedicate a whole post on this!!  December is also the month of my birthday, when is it? any special plans? you'll come to know :-)

Lets get back to today's recipe, Dudhi Chana Nu Shaak is very common in every gujarati household. During my school days mom used to prepare this along with Kadhi every wednesday. Dont know what was with wednesday but i remember enjoying it to the very last bite. There is a saying in gujarati "Dudhi khaaiye toh Budhi aave" which literally means "If you eat Bottlegourd than you'll get good brains". The best part is that it doesnt take much time to prepare, you can put everything in the cooker and it will be ready in less than 10 mins, dont believe me? scroll down and try out for yourself :-)

Gujarati,Vegetarian

Dudhi Chana Nu Shaak
(Bottlegourd and Bengal gram curry)
Ingredients: Serves 2 to 3
500 gms dudhi, peeled and diced
1/2 cup Chana dal, washed
2 tsp oil
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp mustard seeds
a generous pinch of Asafoetida (Hing)
1 tsp red chilli powder
1 tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp coriander powder
1 tsp cumin powder
1 tsp sugar
Salt to taste
1 cup of water

Procedure:-
  • Heat the oil in cooker, add in  mustard seeds, cumin seeds, asafoetida and turmeric powder.
  • As soon as the seeds start to splutter add in cubed bottlegourd pieces and the rest of the masalas (salt, sugar, red chilli, cumin and coriander powder)
  • Saute for around a min.
  • Now add in the chana dal and water (IMP - Bottlegourd leaves lots of water so be careful while adding water.)
  • Mix well and pressure cook it for 5 to 6 whistles.
  • Serve hot with rotis or chapatis.
Can any curry be more simpler? Do try out and let me know your experience. Wishing you all a very happy and pleasant weekend, enjoy, relax and have fun :-) Till next time tia!!


72 comments:

  1. so we same share the same month for birthday...I make this too and that too in pressure cooker, a complete comfort food.

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  2. Hey Parita, this sounds so good..will try...guess my mum makes something similar.

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  3. Simple dish,nice recipe parita,looks delicious too

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  4. I adore simple, quick and delicious food like this!

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  5. nice curry and our south indian version is also somewhat similar doodhi with chana dal in a gravy.

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  6. i never knew it is a gujrati favorite too..in UP it is made with onion garlic and is a bit higher on masala ( looks brown n red )..this version looks good too..
    happy birthday in advance and click every gujju delicacy you eat in those shadis n share with us.. :):)

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  7. Wow this is simple and yummm :) Though the name is so new to me. :)

    Going through pretty much the same situation.... Ha ha ha will be waiting to see that dedicated post.. :)

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  9. Parita good to see you back. And that too with such a nice recipe. I like bottlegourd because of its so many health benefits. Morever it takes such a less amount of oil to cook.

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  10. Yeah, I know what it's like to have relatives hounding you to get married. Ack, no thanks! I'm happy with my life exactly the way it is.

    That is a delicious curry. And do let us know when your birthday is!

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  11. Oooh. nice dish! Simple and nice presentation.. thanks for sharing.

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  12. The chana looks delicious! Adavanced Birthday wishes!

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  13. Delicious and easy to make curry...will try it soon...let us know when ur B'day is :)

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  14. Good to see you gal!! This is a complete comfort food for me...looks lovely.

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  15. Hi Parita, Nice to see you back. Thanks for sharing this quick and easy, healthy recipe :D

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  16. Gud to see you back gal,
    december is the month of my birthday too ;)...njoy all the fun you have in coming weekends..i miss them all :(
    I love this combo..i usually make stir fry with this

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  17. Ohh such a simple dish.I need to try out. Best thing is u r having so much fun with all those marriages and making us "J" here :(....just kidding.Have fun girl.

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  18. Wish you a very happy Birthday ... Love ur recipes.. keep posting...

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  19. Parita, cant agree more with u on the elders chasing the singles and then once married, being pressurised to starta family..100% right.so wat r ur bdya plans? celebrating with someone spl?and this is sucha simple comforting subzi..I hve had it hazaar times.

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  20. Sounds like a very simple yet tasty recipe Pari :-)

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  21. Oh how much I miss the traditional weddings ,last one attended was my own :D.love the doodhi chana .

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  22. Can't wait to hear about your birthday plans, Parita...I'm sure they'll be wonderful!

    This looks very healthy and delish!

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  23. After living away from home where every single thing is planned & scheduled, fixed & executed. Going back home and surely none of these scheduling things work and unexpected things come up. I know how it is. But surely the fun lies in that, do enjoy it dear with your loved ones. Looking foward to hear more about your birthday celebration and other things!! soon.

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  24. Simple & healthy dudhi shaak Parita. I just made it yesterday, pretty much ur way, except added some Goda Masala also. Hey, I'm looking out for undhiyu recipes...I'm sure u have a family favorite. Do post if possible.

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  25. Ya ya I agree with you totally..esp elders getting on your nerves reg starting a family..Dont worry I am going thr the second phase too ;)
    Curry looks yum, perfect for rotis and rice!
    Hey I am December baby too ;) Wish you in advance a Happy birthday! :)

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  26. wow........delicious curry dear....

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  27. The name is different and so is the dish, looks gud!

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  28. Mmm, I love all the spices in this, it sounds so flavorful!

    Have fun at all the weddings!

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  29. Nice comb..Healthy and delicious.

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  30. So waiting ur birthday bash! Simple and tasty curry!

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  31. welcome back parita....nice recipe and healthy

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  32. Very new to me! Looks delicious!

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  33. it is very yumm .. I have made this too

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  34. Y'know!My grandmom made it this way!!I put tomatoes and make it but this looks wonderful!

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  35. Yummy one. i will prepare in slightly different way

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  36. the dish sounds simple quick and healthy and comforting!!

    yeah, that's true about our elders in the society but though I wouldn't agree with them , I love their being around to ask about things, when and what and why and bothering about things ( even if it doesn't concern them, hahha), that's the mark of our elders and I miss that so badly here!!!:):)

    happy celebrations!!!

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  37. New combo for me..looks yummy :-)

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  38. Comforting bowl of goodness...good one.

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  39. this is the only way i like dudhi! Good to see you back :)

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  40. Very comforting and delicious! Glad to see you back!

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  41. I hope things start to calm down a bit, but I don't think it will until maybe mid Jan... Let us know when your birthday is!!!

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  42. Hey, this is regular one in my house, but more with the north indian touch, with onion, tomatoes etc.. BTW thanks for stopping by at my space....

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  43. What a perfect recipe! I must try this one!

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  44. A curry cant get simpler than this.....its wonderful:)

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  45. Don't worry, we understand! Take your time and come back when you can...

    That curry looks delicious!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  46. Such a beautiful dish! Your photo is gorgeous!

    Happy Birthday-month!! So exciting!! I hope you enjoy the wedding celebrations and your birthday celebration!! Hooray for wonderful occasions! :-)

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  47. A simple and delicious curry.. Nice one Parita :)

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  48. bottle gourd is such a wonderful vegetable...this looks super yum!

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  49. Welcome back good one. do participate in Cakes n Cookies in my blog.

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  50. Nice to hear you are back.

    Now we can see a lot of great recipes again. I had this recipe from my friends home. I dont remember the name of the dish but it was similar to this.

    This looks a yet to prepare reciope for me. I will try preparing it.

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  51. This looks so healthy and nutritious.

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  52. Happy Bday in advance.Hav fun in the wedding :).

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  53. Hey Prita,

    This is one my fav gujju shak. urs look yumm and tempting!!

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  54. I love the combination of dal and the dudhi. we cook mung and lauki in Bengal. Love this version.

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  55. Curry looks simple and delicious.
    http://padhuskitchen.blogspot.com/

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  56. Sounds delicious and simple to prepare dear:)

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  57. Nice template and the colour choice. Good I dropped by your site, shall keep coming for more.
    sanjeeta kk

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  58. Welcome back. Dish looks simple and comforting!

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  59. Hi Parita,

    I love his curry combination with rice. Very sublime flavour,nothing to beat home made curries like these.

    Cheerio
    Ashwini

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  61. I love curry so I'm sure I would enjoy this, but I don't think they have all of the ingredients where I live.

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  62. I'm actually from a town in Rajasthan which almost borders Gujarat. So most of our recipes are influenced by Gujarati cuisine. And now tht it comes from a Gujarati I'm sure what I have been making is authentic ;)

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  63. This is my husbands favorite dish I recently learned and I was so happy to find your recipe. I've made it twice so far and he loved it and my sister in laws preferred it over the way they made it! I'm making it again tonight and my mouth is already watering.

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