Suraikkai Kootu

Ingredients:

1 Suraikkai/Bottle Gourd peeled and sliced.

½ cup of Channa dal (soaked in water for 10 minutes)
1 medium sized Onion finely chopped
1 tbs finely chopped Ginger
1 Tomato diced
2 Green chillies cut in lengthwise
Few Curry leaves
Few sprinkles of Asafoetida
¼ tsp. Turmeric powder
1 tsp. of Red chilli powder
1 tsp. of Coriander powder
½ cup Coconut milk
½ tsp. Mustard seeds
½ tsp. Urad dal
Salt to taste
2 tsp. of Oil

Preparation:

In a pressure cooker, take the gourd, channa dal and cook it for 5 minutes.

In a pan, heat the oil, add mustard, urad dal, curry leaves, green chillies, asafoetida, ginger, onion one by one and sauté it finely till the onion turns light brown colour.
Now add the tomatoes, pressure cooked gourd & channa dal, turmeric powder, red chilli powder, coriander powder, salt and sauté it finely add the coconut and cover the pan for few minutes.
Give a constant stir and let it stand for few minutes till the kootu/gravy turns thick.
Check for the salt and give a stir and turn off the heat.
Tasty Suraikkai Kootu is ready to serve it with sambar & rice and rasam & rice.