Ivy Gourd / Kovakka Pulinkari (Pulincurry)

Ingredients:

12-15 ivy gourd / kovakka , cut into round pieces

small lemon sized tamarind

10 shallots, sliced

2 tbsp garlic, sliced

1 small tomato, chopped

1/4 tsp turmeric powder

1 tsp chilli powder

1 1/2 tbsp sambar powder

1/2-1 tsp jaggery

1/2 tsp asafoetida

salt to taste

1 tsp mustard seeds

1 tsp fenugreek seeds

1 tsp urad dal

2 dry red chillies

1 sprig curry leaves

2 tbsp sesame oil

Preparation:

1. Soak tamarind in 1 cup of water and keep it aside.
2. Heat oil in a pan and add ivy gourd pieces and fry well at medium flame and keep it aside.
3. In the same oil, add mustard seeds, fenugreek seeds, urad dal and dry red chillies and saute.
4. Add sliced garlic, shallots and curry leaves and saute well.
5. Add turmeric powder, chilli powder, sambar powder and salt and mix well till raw smell goes.
6. Add chopped tomato and saute well.
7. Add tamarind water and enough hot water and boil well till the gravy thickens.
8. Then add fried ivy gourd, jaggery and asafoetida and mix well and cook for 3-4 minutes.
9. Switch off the flame and keep it covered until ready to use. Serve with rice...