Ridge Gourd Curry / பீர்கங்காய் கறி

This is one of my Mom's recipe and my favorite too. My mom makes this curry very spicy and yummy. I just love this curry with hot white rice, too delicious combination. If u don't like ridge gourd, am sure if u try this recipe u will love it to the core. The addition of garlic, clove n cinnamon makes this curry very aromatic and rich. I love adding more garlic to this curry, if u don't like more just limit with 1 or 2. The recipe as follows...

Ingredients

1. Ridgegourd    1 and 1/2 cup or 250gm(peeled and chopped)
2. Onion      1big(finely chopped)
3. Tomato     1-2 no.(finely chopped)
4. Garlic    3-4 fat Cloves(minced )
5. Curry leaves   few
6. Chilli powder        2tsp or less
7. Turmeric powder      1/4 tsp
8. clove      2no.s
9. Cinnamon stick      1/2" stick
10. Mustard seeds     1/2 tsp
11. Jeera seeds      1/4 tsp
12. Fennel seeds      1/4 tsp
13. Oil      2 tbsp or less

Method

• Heat oil in a kadai,add clove,cinnamon,mustard seeds allow to splutter,and add jeera and fennel seeds.
• Then minced garlic and chopped onions,curry leaves fry well.
• Saute until onion turns light golden brown.
• then add chopped tomatoes saute well.
• Once the tomato get mushy add chopped ridge gourd,turmeric powder and mix well.
• Saute it nicely for 1-2 minutes and then add chilli powder and enough salt.
• Mix well and saute in low medium heat for a minute.
• Cook covered for about 7-8 minutes and for every 1-2minutes open and stir well.
• No need to add water to this curry,the veg itself will ooze enough water to get it cooked or if u want sprinkle little water and cook.
• Once the ridge gourd get cooked add some chopped cilantro/coriander leaves and turn off the heat.
• This curry goes well with plain rice,curd rice,dosai and chapathi/rotis also.