Peerkangai Poriyal / Ridge Gourd Fry

This is very easy and simple recipe and gets done in few minutes. This goes well with rasam, and curd rice.Ridge gourd is low in saturated fat and cholesterol, high in dietary fibre, vitamin C, riboflavin, zinc, thiamin, iron, magnesium and manganese.It has excellent cooling properties and good for eyes and skin.Now to the recipe...

Ingredients :

Ridge gourd / Peerkangai	2
Onion	1
Red chilli powder	2 tsp
Turmeric powder	½ tsp
Grated Coconut	2 tbsp
Channa dal	1 tsp
Curry leaves	1 sprig
Mustard seeds	1 tsp
Oil	2 tbsp

Steps :

1. Scrape the outer ridges slightly (do not scrape all the skin - just remove the sharp edges) and wash the gourd and slit into lengthwise and remove the seeds and cut into small pieces.
2. Heat oil in pan add mustard seeds,channa dal,curry leaves fry for 3 sec and add sliced onions fry till transparent.
3. Add the chopped gourd and give a stir then add turmeric powder,chilli powder and salt mix well.
4. Cover and cook in medium flame for 20 minutes, mix every 2-3 minutes.No need to add water as the vegetable will leave enough water by itself. Cook till turns soft then add grated coconut and give stir for 2 mins and switch off the stove.
5. Serve hot with sambar or rasam rice..

Sending this to Viji's Soul Food Show