SURAIKKAI PAAL KOOTU

Ingredients:

Mustard seeds-1 tsp
Red chilllies-5
Black gram-1 tsp
Curry leaves
Coriander leaves
Bottle gourd-a small one
Shredded coconut- a handful
Fennel seeds-1/2 tsp
Thick milk- half cup
Enough salt
Oil- 2 tbsp

Procedure:

Heat a pan and pour the oil. When it becomes hot, add the mustards. When they splutter, add the black gram, red chillies, curry leaves and chopped coriander leaves and fry for a few minutes. Cut the bottle gourd in to small pieces and add them to the pan. Fry them for a few seconds. Extract thick milk from the coconut and add this to the bottle gourd with enough salt. Powder the fennel seeds and add it to the pan. When the vegetable is cooked well, add the milk and allow it to simmer for a few minutes until it is blended well with the vegetable.