Aanapakaya majjiga pulusu(Bottle gourd cooked in butter milk)

Ingredients:

• 1 medium sized bottle gourd (cubed)(can use vegetables like drumsticks,ladyfingers ,carrots along with bottle gourd.
• 2 cups thick curd(little sour)
• Channa Dal-3tsp
• Coriander seeds-2tsp
• Red chillies-6
• 1/2 inch piece of ginger
• Turmeric-1/4 tsp
• Salt to taste
• Oil
• Mustard seeds-1 tsp
• Cumin seeds-1tsp
• Fenugreek seeds-1/4tsp
• Asafoetida(hing)-a pinch
• Curry leaves- a hand full
• Coriander leaves for garnishing.

Method:

• Soak coriander seeds, Dal , ginger and 4 red chillies in a cup of water.
• Let it soak for half an hour. make a paste of these soaked ingredients.
• Beat the curd well adding water to it(better if whipped in a blender).
• Combine the blended mixture with the beaten curd and keep it aside.Add salt to it.
• Add water to the bottle gourd pieces ,add turmeric and cook till they are soft .
• Heat oil in a pan,add mustard seeds.After they crackle ,add cumin seeds and methi seeds, a pinch of asafoetida(hing),curry leaves, red chillies.Fry for a minute and add the cooked bottle gourd pieces.
• Saute for 3 minutes and add the mixture of curd.
• Add some more salt if needed and cook till it thickens a bit and the vegetables absorb the flavors.simmer for few minutes and pour into a serving dish.
• Cut some fresh coriander leaves and garnish it before serving.
• Serve with rice.It tastes good even if its refrigerated or served hot.