Sorakaya senagapappu(Bottle gourd with chana dal)

Ingredients:

• 1 medium Bottle gourd(roughly 2  cups chopped)
• 1/2 cup Chana dal
• 2 medium Onions,chopped
• 2 Tomatoes,finely chopped
• 2-3 Green chillies,slit
• 1 tsp Ginger-Garlic paste
• 3/4 tsp Red chilli powder
• 1 tsp Coriander powder
• 1/2 tsp Turmeric powder
• 1/4 tsp Garam masala(optional)
• A sprig of Curry leaves
• 1/2 tsp Mustard seeds
• a pinch of Asafoetida
• 1 tbsp Oil
• Salt to taste

Method:

1. Soak chana dal for 1 hr.Drain and keep aside.
2. Heat oil in a small pressure cooker or thick kadai and crackle mustard seeds.
3. Add hing,slit green chillies and curry leaves and fry for 30-40 secs.
4. Add chopped onions and fry until they are translucent.
5. Add chopped bottle gourd pieces and fry for 2-3 mins.Add chopped tomatoes and soaked chana dal and again saute for a minute.
6. Add coriander powder,red chilli powder,garam masala,turmeric powder and salt fry for a minute.
7. Add 1 cup of water and pressure cook for 1-2 whistles.If you are using kadai cover it and cook for 8-10 mins until bottle gourd is cooked.Chana dal should be firm to touch but it should be cooked.
8. Once the pressure is down(if using cooker) cook on high flame for a minute or two and switch off the flame.
9. Serve it hot with Rice/Roti.