Kovakka ( Ivy Gourd ) Chana Masala

Ingredients:

1/2 cup chana/ white chickpeas/ vella kadala

1 1/2 cup ivy gourd / kovakka, cut into thin round slices

1 onion, chopped

1 tbsp garlic, crushed

1 green chilli, chopped

1 sprig curry leaves

1 tomato, finely chopped

1/2 tsp turmeric powder

1 tbsp chilli powder

1 tsp coriander powder

1/2 tsp garam masala

1/2 tsp cumin powder

salt to taste

1 tsp mustard seeds

2 tbsp oil

Preparation:

1. Wash and soak chana / chickpeas in water for 8 hours and pressure cook it with salt adding enough water until soft.
2. Heat oil in a pan and splutter mustard seeds.
3. Add chopped onion, crushed garlic, green chilli and curry leaves and saute well.
4. Add turmeric powder, chilli powder, coriander powder, garam masala, cumin powder and salt and saute well till raw smell goes.
5. Add sliced ivy gourd and finely chopped tomato and mix well. Sprinkle little water and cook covered at low flame for 10 minutes, stirring in between.
6. Then add cooked chana and mix well and cook covered at low flame for 3 minutes till everything is well mixed with masala.
7. Remove from the flame and serve hot with chapati, appam, rice etc...