Steamed Moong Dal and Bottle Gourd Khichu

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-10 · Updated 2026-06-10

A traditional Gujarati steamed snack made from split green gram (moong dal) and tender bottle gourd, flavored with cumin and ginger. This Indian-inspired vegetarian recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, pairs split yellow moong dal, grated bottle gourd (lauki), water for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup split yellow moong dal
• 1 cup grated bottle gourd (lauki)
• 2 cups water
• 1/2 cup rice flour
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 tsp ginger paste
• 1 green chili finely chopped
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp oil
• 2 tbsp fresh coriander leaves chopped

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Rinse 1/2 cup split yellow moong dal thoroughly and soak in 2 cups water for 1 hour.
2. Step 2: Drain moong dal and blend with 1 cup grated bottle gourd, 1 tsp cumin seeds, 1 tsp ginger paste, 1 finely chopped green chili, and 1 tsp salt into a coarse batter.
3. Step 3: Heat 1 tbsp oil in a pan over medium heat and add the batter, stirring continuously for 5 minutes until it thickens slightly.
4. Step 4: Remove from heat and gradually add 1/2 cup rice flour, mixing well to form a smooth dough.
5. Step 5: Divide the dough into small portions and shape into discs, then steam for 15 minutes at 212°F (100°C) until firm and cooked through.
6. Step 6: Garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh coriander leaves before serving warm.