Lauki Dal with Courgette
Soft courgette stirred into creamy dal with a ginger and cumin tarka. Light, gentle and ready in 25 minutes.
Made with Tarka dal base and Ginger and garlic paste. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time25 mins
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £0.60 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Heat 1 tbsp oil in a pan over a medium heat. Add your ready made ginger garlic paste (see the base recipe) and fry for 1 minute.
1 min - 2
Add the courgette and tomato and cook for 5 minutes until soft.
5 min - 3
Stir in your ready made tarka dal base (see the base recipe) with 100 ml water and simmer for 8 minutes.
8 min - 4
Heat the remaining oil in a small pan. Fry the cumin and chilli for 30 seconds and pour over the dal.
0 min 30 s - 5
Stir in the lemon juice and coriander and serve with rice or flatbread.
Tips
- Courgette releases water, so do not add more than the 100 ml.
- Do not overcook the courgette, or it turns to mush.
- Bottle gourd (lauki) from Asian shops is the traditional choice.
Storing and freezing
Cool within 1 to 2 hours and keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. Freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
Can I use bottle gourd?
Yes. Peel and dice 500 g and simmer for 10 minutes before adding the dal.
Can I use marrow?
Yes. Peel it, scoop out any large seeds and cut it into small cubes, then simmer for 10 minutes before adding the dal.
Is it filling?
It is a light dal, so serve it with rice, flatbread or a side of roast vegetables for a bigger meal.
More made with tarka dal base
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.