Munthiri Maamudi (peerkangai gravy dish)

Some dishes are so interesting that you want to do them right away.. I always buy peerkangay and make thuvayal from it and when I saw this recipe in a TV show, I could not resist making it. It has a very interesting and distinct taste and goes very well with pulao or roti. The name mentioned in the cooking show was little different than what I have put here, but I loved this new derived name, so I kept it.

Ingredients
Peerkangay (chopped) – 2 cups (500 grams peerkangay)
Onion (diced) – ½ cup
Mustard Seeds – 1 tea spoon
Cumin Seeds – 1 tea spoon
Cardamom - 4
Cloves - 4
Cinnamon - 1
Kasa Kasa / Poppy Seeds  – 1 table spoon
Cashew – 2 table spoons
Coconut – 2 table spoons
Green Chili (slit) – 2
Ulutham Parupu / Urad Dal – 1 tea spoon
Red Chili Powder – 2 tea spoons
Coriander Powder – 2 tea spoons
Amchur / Mango Powder – 2 tea spoons
Oil – ¼ cup
Tomato (diced) – 2
Curd – ½ cup
Curry Leaves – 6
Ginger (minced) – 1 tea spoon
Garlic (minced) – 2 cloves
Salt
Asafetida – A pinch
Method
Grind kasa kasa, cashew and coconut to a fine powder and then add water and make a fine paste and set aside.
Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, ulutham parupu and red chili.
Add cinnamon, cloves, cardamom
Add onion, green chili and curry leaves
Add the peerkangay and sauté until clear
Add ginger and garlic
Add salt, turmeric powder, coriander powder and red chili powder and cook
Add tomatoes and cook unti
Add the grinded paste and bring it all to a boil
Add mango or amchur powder
Add water and cook for 3 minutes covered
Add curd and remove from heat. After curd is added, do not cook for long as it will separate.
Serve hot with white rice or chapathi!

Points to note – about Peerkangai – from healthbenefits -
Ridge gourd biologically named as Luffa anguiculata is called as peerkangai in Tamil and Its health benefits are listed as:

1. Ridge gourd is low in saturated fat and cholesterol, high in dietary fiber, vitamin C, riboflavin, zinc, thiamin, iron, magnesium and manganese.
2. It has blood-purifying properties.
3. It contains insulin-like peptides, alkaloids and charantin, all of which act together to lower blood and urine sugar levels without increasing blood insulin levels.
4. It has high beta carotene that is good for eyes.
5. Cellulose in ridge gourd helps to overcome constipation so is good for stomach.
6. It helps to purify, restore and nourish liver as its an antidote for alcohol intoxication
7. It also aids weight lose.
8. It is used in skin care treatment against eczema, psoriasis
9. Also aids in curing piles
10. A glass of ridge gourd juice in the morning can help to strengthen your immune system against any infection.

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Sending this to Healthy Diet - Diabetic Friendly Recipes, CWS - Urad Dal, Priya's page,