Peerkangai Kootu / Ridge Gourd Kootu

Ingredients:
Ridgegourd ( peerkangai ) - 1
Tomato - 1
Onion - 1 small size ( chopped )
Green chillies - 3 nos ( chopped )
Moong dhal - 1 cup
Curry leaves - few
Sambar powder - 1 tbsp
Turmeric powder - 1 tsp
Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
Oil - 2 tsp
Salt to taste.

Method:

• Remove the outer skin of Peerkangai(Ridge guard) and cut into small pieces.
• First fry the moong dhal in pan 5 minutes. cook the dhal by adding required water in the pan.
• Once its half cooked, add ridgegourd,tomato,turmeric powder,sambar powder and salt.cook until dhal and ridgegourd becomes soft.
• Then heat oil in a kadai put the cumin seeds let them splutter.
• Add chopped onion,green chillies and curry leaves fry them until golden brown.
• Now add the dhal mixture into the kadai.cook 5 minutes on a low heat.
• Kootu is ready.
  Serve the kootu with steamed rice. The dhal should not be overcooked.

Kollu Paruppu / Horse Gram Chutney

Ingredients:
Kollu paruppu ( horese gram ) - 1 cup
Tomato - 1/2
Small and young brinjal - 1
Onion - 1 ( chopped )
Greenchillies - 3 ( chopped )
Curry leaves - few
Corriander seeds - 1/2 tsp
Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp
Garlic -1 piece ( potional )
Oil - 1 tbsp
Tamarind - 1/4" piece

Salt to taste.
Method:

• Pressure cook the horse gram ( kollu ) with 1/2 tomato,brinjal,turmeric powder,salt and 2 cups of water.
• Allow upto 4 0r 5 whisles.
• Heat oil in a pan, add onion,green chillies,curry leaves,crushed corriander and cumin seeds and saute them until it is light brown in color.
• Then add cooked horse gram and tamarind and allow to boil for 5 minutes.
• Transfer the dhal with garlic to a blender and allow to run 1 or 2 rounds.( don't grind too much ) Serve with hot rice and ghee.