Padavalanga Parippu thoran / Snake gourd - Lentil stir fry

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup - Chana Dal / Kadalaparippu, soaked for 1 hours
• 1 - Padavalanga / Snake gourd, thinly sliced
• 1/2 tsp - Cumin powder
• 2 cloves - Garlic
• 2-3 - Green chillies
• 1/2 tsp - Turmeric powder
• 1/4 cup - Grated coconut
• 1 tbsp - Oil
• 1 tsp - Mustard seed
• 2-3 - Shallots
• 1 sprig - Curry leaf
• Salt to taste

Method:

• Pressure cook the dal with just enough water. Do not cook it too much. The dal should be firm to look at but should get mashed when we press it between the forefinger and thumb.
• Coarsly grind together cumin, garlic, green chillies, coconut and turmeric. Mix it with the cut gourd and add salt and keep it aside for 15 minutes.
• Heat a pan with oil. Splutter the mustard seeds and saute the shallots and curry leaves. Put the gourd and cook covered for 5 minutes with very little water. When done, empty the lentil and stir fry for couple of minutes. Serve hot with rice