One medium onion, three to four broken red chillies, and two tablespoons of oil heated in a skillet are sauteed until the onion is transparent.

Add the soaked chana dal as well, then cook for a minute. Before cooking, soak the chana dal in water for at least 15 minutes.

Sliced snake gourd should be added along with salt and sugar to taste. Although it is optional, sugar gives the veggie a beautiful flavor.

Add half a cup of water now, cover the pot, and boil the chana dal until it is tender.

Add half a teaspoon of pepper powder once the dal starts to soften, and then turn off the heat.