Prepare all the ingredients: peel and chop the potato, onion, ridge gourd, garlic, ginger, and gather all the spices.

Heat oil in a pressure cooker. Add cumin seeds, bay leaf, dried red chilies, cardamom pods, cloves, and cinnamon stick. Add the chopped onion and sauté for a few minutes.

When the onion turns slightly translucent, add ginger-garlic paste, cumin powder, coriander powder, red chili powder, and garam masala powder. Sauté until the mixture turns golden brown.

Add the chopped ridge gourd, potato chunks, and soaked chana dal. Sauté for 1–2 minutes.

Add 2 cups of hot water to the sautéed vegetables. Pressure cook for 3–4 whistles. Serve hot with plain rice, roti, or paratha.