Ridge Gourd Chutney

Here i am with my fav chutney. I love roti pachadi/ Stone n  Mortar chutney. Unfortunately, i dnt have that..Back in India, we used to have this chutney's  in meal for at least 3 times a week. I love them so much bcoz they taste gr8 n healthy too. My mom used to make chutney with all kinds of veggies. She used to make chutney, even with peels of veggies. They taste very gr8 with hot hot rice n a touch of ghee. They taste gr8 even with dosa, idli or any fried fritters..From that combination, i made Ridge Gourd n Bottle Gourd Peel Chutney. Today's chutney is made with whole ridge gourd.. 

Ingredients:
Ridge Gourd : 1, chopped into Medium sized cubes
Tomato: 1 medium, halved
Green Chili: 3-4, halved,
Red chili: 2
Channa dal: 1tsp
Urad dal: 1tsp
Cumin Seeds: 1tsp
Mustard Seeds: 1tsp
Coriander Seeds: 1/2 tsp
Tamarind Paste:  2tsp or small lemon size raw tamarind
Salt: to taste
Oil: 1tsp
Cilantro: 1 cup, finely chopped
Preparation:
1) In a skillet, heat oil n add ridge gourd cubes. Don't peel the skin..
2) Fry for 2 mins uncovered.
3) Add remaining ingredients except salt, cilantro n tomato. if  using tamarind use it now.. If using tamarind paste don't add it now. 
4) Fry for 10 mins on medium heat, covered.
5) Add Tomato n tamarind paste n cook for 2 mins uncovred.
6) Switch off n add half cup cilantro. Let it cool .
7) Grind it in a mixer to a smooth or coarse paste.
8) Spoon it into a bowl n add cilantro n remaining cilantro

Enjoy ridge gourd chutney with rice..

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Beerakaya Pala Koora/ Ridge Gourd with Milk Curry

Ridge Gourd is a common vegetable in most parts of the India. Its a very stomach soothing n comforting vegetable. There is another type of ridge gourd called as " Nethi Beerakaya" or " Silk Squash"popular for its buttery flavor. Most common dishes of ridge gourd from Andhra region are Ridge Gourd channa dal curry, Ridge Gourd chutney, Ridge Gourd milk curry, Ridge Gourd fry. Even skin of ridge gourd can be used for making chutney. So don't throw the skin of gourd next time... Store it in a ziploc bag n freeze it, until u got required amount..

Ingredients:
Ridge Gourd: 1 big, Peeled n finely chopped
Onion: 1big, Finley chopped
Drum Sticks: 5-6 pieces ( Optional)
Oil: 1tbsp
Channa dal: 1tsp
Red chili: 1tsp
Cumin Seeds: 1tsp
Mustard Seeds: 1tsp
Red chili Powder: 1tsp
Turmeric: 1/2 tsp
Salt: 1tsp
Milk: 1cup
Whipping Cream: 1tbsp( optional)

Preparation:
1) Peel the ridge gourd n chop it into small pieces. Sprinkle little salt. Mix n keep aside.
2) In a pressure Cooker, heat oil n add red chili. Fry for 30secs.
3) Add channa dal, cumin seeds n mustard seeds. Fry for 30 secs.
4) Add onion  n cook for 5-6 mins or until onions are translucent. 
5) Add Ridge Gourd n Drum Sticks. Sprinkle turmeric, red chili powder n salt.
6) Add 1 cup of water n cook for 3 whistles. Let it cool.
7) Now remove the lid n cook for 5mins on medium to low heat. Adjust salt n chili powder to your taste..
8) Add milk slowly by stirring constantly. Cook on medium to low heat for 5 mins.
9) Add cream n cook for 1 min
10 ) Switch off the stove.

Enjoy this soothing delicious Ridge Gourd Milk Curry with rice..

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Beerakaya & Sorakaya Thoku Pachadi/ Ridge Gourd & Bottle Gourd Peel Chutney

I love chutneys made with fresh vegetables. Every vegetable has its own unique flavor. If it comes to my husband, he jus eats whole lunch or diner with chutney. That much we love chutneys that we cant waste  a single spoon of it. These  veggies  have such a flavor which gives mouth watering smell n taste jus with a touch of chili, cilantro and garlic.

Yesterday, I made ridge gourd milk curry /beerakaya palu posina koora. I always store the skin of ridge gourd to make chutney. I have some in my fridge, which i stored week back. So, now i had enough skin to make chutney. I stored some (5-6) cubes of ridge gourd for chutney from yesterday's one.
I used to through peels before, but one day my mom said, how to make chutneys from skins of veggies. Now, i wont wast even a single strand of it, Of course, i try all chutney's with all vegetable peels n they turn out to be gr8..
Source:own
preparation time: 10 mins
cooking time 10 mins


Ingredients:
Ridge gourd Peel : 2 cups.
Green chili: 3-4, roughly chopped, or brk into 2 pieces
Red chilli:1/2 piece
Tomato: 1 large, cut into 4 pieces
Garlic cloves 5-6
Tamarind: small lemon sized
Cumin seeds: 2 tsp
Channa dal: 1tsp
Cilantro: 1/2 cup
Oil: 2 tsp

Cooking:
1) In a pan, heat oil n add red chili, channa dal. fry for 30 secs. Now add ridge gourd peel, green chili, tamarind, cumin seeds n cook for 5mins.  Now add tomato n cook for 2 mins.
2) Let it cool down. Now in a mixer add the ridge gourd  mixture,garlic cloves n cilantro an grind it to a smooth paste.
3) garnish with cilantro.( if u want u can add tempering to it. U can also add finely chopped onion before serving)( can be stored up to 3 days if onions are not added)

Enjoy this chutney with plain rice with a touch of butter/gee, dosa, idli... endless list....

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