BEERAKAYA PAPPU / DAL

I know that its been really like a cat-mouse game for you guys....I disappear and appear all of a sudden with some excuse. But i have been visiting all your blogs for once in awhile but couldnt leave any comments.Thats unexcusable???.. But you know sneaking thr' your blogs and all the previous posts one at a time was like a one-day batting before the final exams for me...Thats a silly comparision!!!..I finally have a news to share with you all....I want you all to guess, why i feel like sleeping for more hours,eating more of pickles,tangy fruits,last but not the least am eating for two .....

This dal is something i came up with almost like a few months back , when i had a small portion of beerakaya/ridge gourd in my fridge. I couldnt make pachadi/chutney as it wouldnt even yield a cup. I was all the way through its cooking was of the opinion that it would be a disaster as I didnt see my mom making this dal till now. But atlast i was happy that this beerakaya pappu didnt end up in the trash. It tasted quite different from the regular dals maybe due to beerakaya flavor.

INGREDIENTS:

Beerakaya/Ridge Gourd--------------1 small one washed,peeled slightly,cut in disc and halved.
Toor Dal------------------------------1/4 cup of standard measuring cup washed,soaked for 30 mins.
Tomato-------------------------------1 small one coarsely chopped
Red Onion----------------------------1 small one thinly sliced
Green chillies-------------------------3-5 depending on their spice level
Garlic---------------------------------3 pods coarsely chopped and crushed
Ginger--------------------------------1-1/2" piece crushed
Coriander powder------------------- 1 tsp
Salt,turmeric-------------------------as required

Tempering:

Oil------------------------------------2 tbp
Mustard,Cumin seeds--------------1 tsp each
Dry red chillies-----------------------3 halved
Curry leaves--------------------------8-10

DIRECTIONS:

1.In a pressure cooker vessel heat oil. Sauté the tempering ingredients until nicely fried.

2.Then add the sliced onions,green chillies,crushed ginger,crushed garlic and fry till onions are done.

3.Add chopped tomatoes,coriander powder,turmeric and cook till the tomatoes are soft.

4.Now add dal, ridge gourd and saute for a minute.Add 1/2-3/4 cup of water ,some salt and pressure cook for 2-3 whistles.

5.Turn off and let till the pressure goes off. Open the lid ,garnish with chopped coriander leaves,taste it and adjust the spices as per the taste.