This is one of my favourite dried pulses recipe from Madhur Jaffrey and may help those with a cucumber glut as well
185g chana dal (or other lentil)
1/2 tsp ground tumeric
2 cloves garlic
2 slices fresh ginger
6" long piece of cucumber
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp garam masala
Pinch chilli powder or to taste
1 tbs vegetable oil
1/2 tsp whole cumin seeds
2 tbs butter
Wash dal, put in pan with water and bring to the boil. Skim any scum, turn heat to very low, add tumeric, garlic and ginger and cook with the pan lid slightly ajar for 1 1/2 hours. Stir a bit towards the end.
Peel the cucumber, cut in half and scoop out the seeds. Cut into 1 inch sections.
Add the cucumber, salt, garam masala and chilli powder to the dal. Cover and cook on low heat for 5-10 minutes. If you want to make lots and freeze it, leave the cucumber out of this stage and add it as you reheat the dal.
Last bit is optional. Heat butter in a small frying pan and when hot, put in the cumin seeds. They will sizzle and go a shade darker. Pour over the dal and cover the pot. Mix in the butter before serving.
Big bags of chana dal are very cheap if you have a local indian grocers and it has a lovely warm, sweet taste