Chanaa Dal with Lauki / Lentils with Bottle Gourd

Recently , on FB, came across Plagiarism related to food blogs and was once again touched at how close knit a circle food bloggers are. ( Am no longer on FB ).

And this was just a couple of days after I helpfully instructed a new blogger on how one should not be copying text from other blogs ... it is always good to write your own stuff since you are anyway cooking the whole thing.

I was also prudent enough to mail her and not write anything publicly on her comment form ... she had been trying out my recipes but was picking up my whole text of the recipes.

I know most new bloggers have no idea of this thing and are indignant that they have no intention of 'stealing'. They do not realise a lot of things ... just assume that since something is available on the net ... it is for everybody.

They do not realise it is for everybody to see ... not to use.

So new blogger takes offence. Does not realise what would happen if somebody starts to make a hue and cry.
But I know ... if she sticks around for a while in the Food blogging world, she will soon learn.

Moving on, I'll rant some more. Do note ... this is not for you if you have left a line here even once.

This is for those who visit my blog numerous times a day ... well ... what do you think of 138 returning visits to one particular recipe? ... yet have never left a line.

I see people coming here ... moving from one page to another ... taking just enough time needed to read a post ... leaving through a number of posts, blogs and even widgets.
Yet ... not a line. Not a good word ... or for that matter am ready to take bad words too.
They come here with recipe as well as "Kichu Khon" or " Sharmila Kichu Khon" or "Sharmila food blog" etc. etc. searches ... and still do not leave a line.
Rude.

And if they get stuck somewhere ... they'll mail me. Why not write on my comment section? This is where I have posted ... other people will also benefit from your doubts. But no.

I guess they think since this is a free for all space, why bother giving a thought ( I seriously doubt if they are capable of thoughts too ) or go to the comment section and type out a few lines.
So I have decided to ignore all those irresponsible, lazy, free stuff hoggers.

Yes, am very angry.

Today's recipe has been sitting in the drafts ... notice the wonderful sunshine and shadows ... I must have clicked it sometime during winter. But don't know why never posted it.

There was a search for "Chana dal with Lauki" ... or was it " Lau diye Chana dal" ... on my blog recently. I felt bad that someone must have been disappointed.

So decided to post this first .... and then post the other delicacies that am making this monsoon. :-)

This is a very simple and quick to make dryish dish. The only time taken is by the Chana Dal to soak ... the rest can be done in a jiffy.

Need :

Chana Dal / Bengal gram lentils

Lauki / Bottle gourd - cut into small cubes

Onion - chopped into medium sized pieces

Garlic - chopped finely ( optional )

Tomatoes - chopped into medium sized pieces

Cooking oil

Jeera / Cumin seeds

Hing / Asafeotida

Haldi / Turmeric powder

Red chilli powder

Garam masala powder

Some Black Peppercorns

Salt to taste

Sugar - a small pinch

Water to cook

How to :

Soak the dal in enough water for around 3-4 hours. If you preplan ... then preferable over night.

Heat oil in a kadahi / wok.

Add the jeera, peppercorns and the hing.

Add the chopped onions (and garlic, if using ) and fry till the onions lose the raw flavour.

Now add the dal, the lauki pieces, haldi and salt.

Stir fry well for a while.

Add water till it skims the surface.

Cover and cook till the dal and the lauki is done.

If needed, add a little water at a time.

Add the tomatoes and the chilli powder, cover and cook for some more time.

When done, add some garam masala, give a final stir and remove from heat.

Serve hot.

Goes great with hot rotis or parathas.

Have a great week all !!