Ridge Gourd Thogayal

Ingredients

• Ridge gourd -350gms
• Channa dal -1tbsp
• Methi seeds -1/2tbsp
• Curry leaves -6
• Mustard -1/2tbsp
• Asafetida (Hing) -1/2tbsp
• Urad dal -2tbsp
• Red chilies -3-4
• Grated coconut -2tbsp
• Tamarind-1/2tbsp (Paste)
• Gingili oil-1tbsp
• Salt (to taste)

Method

• Wash and scrap the skin of ridge gourd(do not peel completely ) and chop it into medium pieces.
• Place a frying pan on the stove add 1tbsp oil, when hot add the ridge gourd pieces and sauté.
• Add salt to taste do not add water as it cooks very fast sauté and when cooked remove it and cool.
• Pour 1 tbsp oil in the frying pan again, add mustard seeds when it sputters add jeera.
• Add asafetida(Hing) channa dal urad dal, red chilies, methi seeds curry leaves, tamarind and sauté on low fire, till slightly brown be careful not to burn the masala, then thogayal will be bitter
• Switch off the stove add grated coconut and mix together
• When it cools down, combine the ridge gourd and this masala and grind, without water.
• Some like it seasoned with little mustard seeds and curry leaves
• Present with hot rice and ghee (or) Parathas.

Benefits

• Ridge gourd (good for skin, strengthen  your immune system)
• Methi seeds ( lose weight, controls  blood  sugar)