Churakka Parippu Curry / Bottle Gourd - Dal Curry

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cup bottle gourd / churakka, peeled and chopped into small pieces

1/2 cup toor dal / thuvara parippu

1 big tomato, chopped

1 tsp chilli powder

1/2 tsp turmeric powder

3/4 cup grated coconut

1/4 tsp cumin seeds

2 green chillies

1 garlic clove

1 tsp mustard seeds

2-3 dry red chillies

1 sprig curry leaves

1 tbsp coconut oil

salt to taste

Preparation:

1. Wash and soak toor dal in water for 1/2 an hour.
2. In a pressure cooker, add drained dal, chopped bottle gourd, tomato, chilli powder, turmeric powder, salt and 2 cups of water and mix well and cook for 5 whistles at medium flame.
3. Grind grated coconut, cumin seeds, green chillies and garlic together to a smooth paste adding enough water.
4. Add the ground coconut paste to the cooked bottle gourd - dal mixture and mix well.
5. Adjust the water and boil at low flame.
6. Heat oil in a pan and splutter mustard seeds. Add shallots, dry red chillies and curry leaves and fry till brown.
7. Pour this over the curry and keep it covered for 5 minutes. Serve with rice...