Name: Tetor Dal (Bitter Gourd - Green Gram Lentil Curry - Bengali Style) recipe by Bethica Das at BetterButter
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 3
Ingredients: 1/2 cup moong dal (split yellow / green gram ); 1/2 cup raw papaya; 1 small bitter gourd, sliced; 3 tbsp. mustard oil; 2 whole dry red chilies, broken; 2 bay leaves; 1/2 tsp. panch phoron (equal quantity of fennel, mustard, cumin, fenugreek and nigella (kalonji) seeds); 1 tsp. ginger, finely chopped; 1/2 tsp. turmeric powder; salt to taste; 1 tsp. ghee

ABOUT Tetor Dal (Bitter Gourd - Green Gram Lentil Curry - Bengali Style) RECIPE

This is a traditional homemade style Bengali delicacy, where fried moong dal and raw papaya are cooked with fried bitter gourd slices. Having any bitter preparation at the beginning of any meal is generally considered to cleanse the system. Raw papaya can also be substituted with lauki (bottle gourd). It is a very common recipe cooked in all Bengali household. All bittergourd lovers will definitely relish this dal. Just have it with plain steamed rice. There are many versions to this dal, where it differs slightly from one individual to the other.

Ingredients Serving: 3

1/2 cup moong dal (split yellow / green gram )
1/2 cup raw papaya
1 small bitter gourd, sliced
3 tbsp. mustard oil
2 whole dry red chilies, broken
2 bay leaves
1/2 tsp. panch phoron (equal quantity of fennel, mustard, cumin, fenugreek and nigella (kalonji) seeds)
1 tsp. ginger, finely chopped
1/2 tsp. turmeric powder
salt to taste
1 tsp. ghee

Instructions

Dry roast the moong dal till light brown. Soak in water for 15-20 minutes. Pressure cook along with the papaya cubes in 1 cup water for 3-4 whistles. Open the lid after it cools down.
Heat oil and temper with the broken red chilies and panch phoron. After it stops spluttering, add the ginger and Bay leaves and saute for a few seconds.
Add the bittergourd and fry till light brown.
Add the boiled dal, salt, water & turmeric powder. Simmer for 2-3 min.
When done, add ghee and serve with plain steamed rice.

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