Sorakaya (Bottle gourd dal) pappu/Anapakaya pappu

Ingredients:

• Toor dal-1/2 cup
• Bottle gourd-1 small size(Cut into small cubes)
• Onion-1/2 chopped
• Green chilies-4 to 6
• Turmeric powder-1/4 tsp
• Salt to taste
• Tamarind -half lemon size
• Kothimeer -a few handful to garnish

Seasoning Ingredients:

• Oil-1 tsp
• Mustard seeds-1/4 tsp
• Cumin seeds-1/4 tsp
• Hing-a pinch
• Curry leaves-few
• Dry red chilies-2 (break in to small pieces)

Preparation:

• Peel and cut the bottle gourd in to small pieces or cubes.
• Clean the dal and keep it aside.
• Now add the bottle gourd pieces,onions,green chillies,turmeric and tamarind in a cooking vessel and cook till the dal becomes tender.

(If you want you can do this in a pressure cooker also .2 to 3 whistles are enough.)

• Switch off the stove .Now take a separate pan and heat the oil.
• Add Mustard seeds,Cumin seeds,Curry leaves,dry red chillies,and hing.
• Fry them till they start crackle and become to turn a light brown color.
• Now add the cooked dal  and adjust the salt.
• Garnish with kothimeer leaves.
• Sorakaya pappu is ready to serve  with hot plain rice or roti.