Ridge Gourd - Green Gram / Peechinga - Cherupayar Kootu

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cup ridge gourd / peechinga, peeled and chopped

1/2 cup green gram / cherupayar

1/2 tsp turmeric powder

1/4 tsp + 1/2 tsp asafoetida

5-6 shallots

3/4 cup grated coconut

4 green chillies

1 tsp cumin seeds

salt to taste

2 dry red chillies

1 sprig curry leaves

1 tsp mustard seeds

1 tbsp coconut oil

Preparation:

1. In a pressure cooker, add chopped ridge gourd, green gram, shallots, turmeric powder, 1/4 tsp asafoetida, salt and 2 cups of water and cook for 4 whistles.
2. Grind grated coconut, green chillies and cumin seeds together to a smooth paste adding little water.
3. Add the ground coconut paste to the cooked ridge gourd and green gram and mix well.
4. Add 1/4-1/2 cup of water and mix well. Adjust the salt and cook for 6-8 minutes till raw smell goes.
5. Heat coconut oil in a pan and splutter mustard seeds and add dry red chillies, curry leaves and 1/2 tsp asafoetida.
6. Pour this over the curry and mix well. Serve with rice....