Little Raindrop's Lauki Dal Mash

vegetarian · 8m+ · en

This gently spiced bottle gourd and pigeon pea mash is deeply nourishing, easy to digest, and perfect for keeping your little one's immunity strong during the rainy season.

Serve this dal warm on its own as a thick soup, or mix it with soft, well-cooked rice for older toddlers.
If the dal feels too thick after mashing, adjust the consistency with a splash of warm water.
Remove any large, hard seeds from the center of the bottle gourd before dicing.

Prep: 10 min
Cook: 15 min
Servings: 2
Age: 8m+

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Ingredients

Toor dal (split pigeon peas) — 50 g / ¼ cup · washed and soaked for 10 minutes
Bottle gourd (Lauki) — 75 g / ½ cup · peeled and finely diced
Tomato — ½ small · finely chopped
Turmeric powder — ¼ tsp
Ghee — ½ tsp
Cumin seeds (Jeera) — ¼ tsp
Asafoetida (Hing) — 1 small pinch

Watch how it's made

Steps

Wash the toor dal thoroughly 2-3 times and soak it in clean water for about 10 minutes.
In a pressure cooker, add the soaked and drained dal, diced bottle gourd, chopped tomato, turmeric powder, and 1.5 cups of water.
Close the lid and pressure cook on a medium flame for 3 to 4 whistles, until the dal and vegetables are completely soft and mushy.
Once the pressure releases naturally, open the cooker and use the back of a spoon or a potato masher to lightly mash the mixture.
In a small pan, heat the ghee. Add the cumin seeds and let them crackle. Sprinkle in the asafoetida, then immediately pour this tempering over the mashed dal. Stir well and serve warm.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use a different type of lentil?

Yes! Yellow moong dal is a wonderful substitute if you don't have toor dal. It cooks faster and is also highly digestible for babies.

Does this recipe need salt?

For babies under 12 months, it is best to avoid adding salt. The turmeric, cumin, and ghee provide plenty of delicious flavor.

Is bottle gourd fully safe for infants?

Bottle gourd is excellent for hydration and digestion. However, always taste a tiny raw piece before cooking; if it tastes unusually bitter, discard it immediately, as bitter gourd can cause stomach distress.

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What you'll need

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