Bottle Gourd Curry With Moong Dal

Ingredients:
Bottle Gourd - 1
Moong Dal - 1/2 Cup
Onion - 1 (Medium - Chopped)
Green Chillies - 2 (Long - Slit Lengthwise)
Tomatoes - 2 (Small - Chopped)
Red Chilli Powder - 1 tsp.
Turmeric Powder - 1/4 tsp.
Minced Garlic - 1 tsp.
Minced Ginger - 1 tsp.
Coriander Leaves - Few (For Garnishing)
Salt - To Taste
Oil - 1 tbsp.

Tempering Ingredients:
Mustard Seeds - 1 tsp.
Cumin Seeds - 1 tsp.
Asafoetida - 1/4 tsp.
Curry Leaves - Few
Whole Red Chillies - 2
Garlic Cloves - 2 (Crushed)

Method:

Peel the skin off the bottlegourd and cut into half.Remove the seeds with a
spoon and chop the bottlegourd into medium pieces.Set it aside.

Heat a small pan and dry roast the moong dal until a nice aroma exists.

Wash it thoroughly and soak it for 30 mins to an hour.

In a bowl,add the chopped bottlegourd,roasted moong dal,chopped onions,
tomatoes,green chillies,minced garlic,minced ginger,turmeric powder,red
chilli powder and enough water and let it cook in a pressure cooker for 4 to 5
whistles.

Heat another pan with some oil and season with mustard seeds and let it crack.

Then add cumin seeds,asafoetida,crushed garlic cloves,whole red chillies and
curry leaves and fry for a minute.

Now add the cooked bottlegourd and moong dal with enough salt and stir it
well.

Allow it cook for another 2 to 3 mins.Remove from the fire and garnish with
some coriander leaves.

Serve it hot with rice or chapathi/roti.


Note : Bottle Gourd can be substituted with Snake Gourd and Ridge Gourd.


For the health benefits of Bottle Gourd,please visit :
http://www.tips4.net/2008/11/health-benefits-of-bottle-gourd-lauki.html