Stir Fried Kovaikkai / Ivy Gourd Recipe

Hi friends, 
               Usually I stock up on veggies for the week on Sundays. So yesterday I bought all the veggies for the week including ivy gourd. Ivy gourd has the tendency to ripen quickly. So I  decided to make it into a stir fry today .And I want to share the recipe with you all.

Ingredients:

• Ivy gourd/ kovaikkai 250g
• Cooking oil - 5tsp
• Mustard seed - 1/2 tsp
• Split black gram - 1/2 tsp
• Garlic - 2 cloves
• Curry leaves - a string
• Onion - 1 no (medium size)
• Red chilli powder - 2 tsp
• Coriander seed powder - 1 1/2 tsp
• Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
• Salt to taste.

Method:
1. Rinse the ivy gourd / kovaikkai well under running water and cut them into small pieces as you like. I have chopped them vertically.Chop the onions also and set aside.

2.Heat oil in a wok and add mustard seeds and split black gram and wait till they splutter. Crush the garlic and add it to the seasoning. Stir and mix them well  till the garlic turns golden brown and add curry leaves.
3.In this stage add the chopped ivy gourd along with coriander powder, red chilli powder, turmeric powder and salt. Saute them for two minutes.
4. Pour water to the mixture tilll it is submerged.Wait till the water boils, close the lid and put the stove on simmer.
5.Periodically stir and mix well to make sure ivy gourd / kovaikkai are cooked evenly.Keep doing this till the water dries up. Switch off the stove.
6.Serve it with curd rice, rasam rice and sambar rice. It goes well  even with chapathi.

Note:

• Adjust the spice level according to your taste.
• A teaspoon of amchur powder can also be added to give the stir fry an additional tangy twist.
• Fresh grated coconut can also be added to enhance the taste. I did not use it because I made it for lunch box.

Happy cooking! Have a nice day!!