RIDGE GOURD GRAVY(SIDE DISH FOR IDLI AND DOSA)

Ridge gourd also known as turai, turiya. Ridge gourd is low in saturated fat and cholesterol, high in dietary fibre, vitamin C, riboflavin, zinc, thiamin, iron, manganese. The nutritional value of gourd makes it suitable for maintaining optimum health and weight loss. It has excellent cooling properties. 

I prepare curry, sambar and fry using ridge gourd. I learnt this recipe from my mother. It takes very less time to cook and really goes well with idli and dosa..

Ingredients:
1 medium size ridge gourd
1/2 onion (if its medium size) or 1/4 onion (if its large in size)
1 tomato(finely chopped)
1/4 tsp mustard seeds
1/4 tsp turmeric powder
few curry leaves
salt

Ingredients for grinding:
11/2 tbsp coriander seeds
1/2 tbsp cumin seeds
1/4 tsp mustard seeds
2 - 3 red chillies (as per your taste)
1/4 - 1/2 cup grated coconut

Method:

1. Peel the skin of the ridge gourd, wash and cut it into medium size pieces and keep it aside.

2. In a pan add 1 tsp oil, and all the ingredients mentioned under grinding except coconut , fry them until it turns light brown and until you get a good aroma. Grind this fried ingredients with coconut and adding little water.

3. In a pan add 2 tbsp oil, mustard seeds, curry leaves. Once the mustard seeds splutter add onions and fry until it turns light brown. Next add tomatoes, turmeric powder and fry till the tomatoes are cooked and starts leaving oil by the sides.

4. Add chopped ridge gourd, little salt and fry until the ridge gourd is almost cooked. Next add the grinded mixture, required salt and 1 cup of water and cook by keeping the lid covered and sauting in between until the ridge gourd is fully cooked and the oil starts to separate. Switch of the flame and serve hot.

Enjoy with hot idlis or dosas!!!