Dish of Opo & Chana Dal Curry
(click to enlarge)

Opo & Chana Dal Curry


India, Bihar (Northeast)   -   Chana Daal Lauki

Makes:
Effort:
Sched:
DoAhead:  
2-1/2 #
***
1-1/4 hrs
Yes
This very fine and flavorful Curry hails from Bihar in the northeast of India, yet seems almost southern. It can also be made with other gourds (see Opo gourd).

3/4
3
1
7
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1
1
2
5
1/3
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1
1
1/2
1/2
1
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1
1-3/4

c
c
oz
#
---
t
t

cl
in
---
T
t
t
t
t
---
T
c

Chana Dal (1)
Water
Opo Gourd (2)  
Onion
--- Temper
Mustard seeds
Cumin seeds.
Chili, dried (3)
Garlic
Ginger Root
-- Finish Spices
Coriander Seeds
Chili Powder (4)
Turmeric
Garam Masala (5)
Salt
-------------
Mustard Oil (6)
Water

PREP   -   (50 min - 35 min work)
  1. Wash CHANA DAL to reduces foaming. Fastest is to shake vigorously in a wire strainer under running hot water. Put in a sauce pan with 3 cup WATER and bring to a boil uncovered. Turn to a very low simmer, cover tightly and simmer for 35 to 45 min until cooked through, but still has a litte crunch. Drain and Set aside.
  2. Use a vegetable peeler to shave the thin but hard rind from the OPO GOURD. Slice about 1/2 inch thick and then into about 1 inch chunks, or as you prefer.
  3. Quarter ONION lengthwise and slice fairly thin crosswise.
  4. Mix Mustard Seeds and Cumin Seeds and set aside.
  5. With kitchen shears, cap RED CHILIS and cut in half crosswise. Shake out as many seeds as will go. Crush GARLIC and chop fine. Slice GINGER very thin, cut slices into threads and chop threads fine. Mix these three items.
  6. Grind Coriander and mix all Finish Spices.
RUN   -   (25 min)
  1. In kadhai, wok, or 3-1/2 quart sauté pan:   IF using Mustard Oil, heat it until you se the first trace of smoke, then take off the heat and let cool down to a regular frying temperature (see Mustard Oil).
  2. Heat Oil and stir in Mustard Seed mix until the Mustard Seeds are popping, then stir in Garlic mix for about 1 minute.
  3. Stir in Onions and fry stirring until fairly translucent.
  4. Sprinkle in Finish Spices and fry stirring for 1 minute.
  5. Stir in Chana Dal until thoroughly mixed, then stir in Gourd and fry stirring for about 2 minutes.
  6. Stir in enough water to just about cover. Bring to a boil, turn to a simmer, and simmer covered until Gourd is cooked - it will be translucent most of the way through).
  7. Serve hot with steamed Basmati rice.
NOTES:
  1. Chana Dal:

      [Bengal Gram]   This is peeled and split Desi type Chickpeas. For details see our Chickpeas (Bengal / Desi type) page.
  2. Opo Gourd:

      [Bottle Gourd]   This is the most available Gourd in North America, usually sold here as "Opo Squash". Loofa (smooth or angled), Fuzzy Melon, or Snake Gourd could also be used. If using Fuzzy Melon or Snake Gourd, just scrape the thin skin off. For details see our Gourds page.
  3. Chili, Dried:

      The standard Japones are fine here. For details see our Indian Chilis page.
  4. Chili Powder:

      I use Indian Khandella or Reshampatti, which are fairly hot. Use your own best judgement. For details see our Chili Powder / flake page.
  5. Garam Masala:

      This is the name of the finishing spice mix used throughout India - but made very differently from one region to another, and even from household to household. For a version appropriate to Bihar, see our recipe Garam Masala - Bihar, but others may be used.
  6. Mustard Oil:

      This is the traditional cooking oil of Bengal and north central India. It is handled differently from other oils. Mustard oil is heated in the pan with no other ingredients until it reaches a temperature where the first wisps of smoke appear (about 480°F/250°C). Immediately take it off the heat and allow to cool to a more reasonable frying temperature (around 360°F/180°C) before adding other ingredients. This procedure removes the acrid taste of the raw oil and renders it quite pleasant. Mustard oil is available in markets serving an Indian community. It will always be labeled "For Massage Use Only" due to lack of FDA approval, based on reasons no longer considered valid. For details see our Mustard Oil page.
  7. U.S. measure: t=teaspoon, T=Tablespoon, c=cup, qt=quart, oz=ounce, #=pound, cl=clove in=inch tt=to taste ar=as required
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