KOVAKAI (IVY GOURD/COCCINIA INDICA) PORIYAL

Kovakai (ivy gourd) poriyal is a healthy and tasty side dish for chapati or Sambar/Rasam/Curd rice. Kovakai poriyal is prepared by stir-frying kovakai along with spices including sambar powder and urad-dal-red chilly powder. Kovakai has fiber, calcium, iron and vitamins like B1, B2 and B6, and cures diabetes, constipation and fatigue. This kovakai poriyal is easy to make and tastes different from our usual poriyal, and I am sure all ages loves this recipe.

PREPARATION TIME : 5 minutes

COOKING TIME         : 15 minutes

INGREDIENTS: (serves 4 persons)

Kovakai                                      - 400 g
Onion small size                       - 1
Garlic cloves                             - 4
Turmeric powder                     - 1/4 spoon
Sambar powder                       - 1/2 spoon
Grated coconut                        - 2 spoons
Urad dal-red chilly powder    - 3 spoons
Mustard seeds                         - 1/2 spoon
Urad dal                                    - 1/2 spoon
Chana dal                                  - 1/2 spoon
Oil                                               - 3-4 spoons
Curry leaves                              - 4-5 leaves
Salt

DIRECTIONS:

1. Prepare urad dal-red chilly powder by roasting 3 spoons of urad dal and 4 number of red chillies in a pan for a minute. Allow to cool and grind to fine powder. 

2. Get ready with all the ingredients. Finely chop the onions and garlic cloves. Chop the kovakai as shown below.

3. Heat oil in a kadai. Add mustard seeds, urad dal and chana dal. Let them crackle.

4. Add chopped onions and curry leaves. Saute well until the onion turns soft.

5. Crush the chopped garlic in mortar and pestle and add to the onions. Saute well. (Note: Need not to make garlic as paste.)

6. Add chopped kovakai and mix well.

7. Cover and cook for 10-12 minutes. Keep stirring occasionally. (Note: Do not burn.)

8. Add salt, turmeric powder and sambar powder. Mix well and cook for 5 minutes.

9. Add urad dal-red chilly powder and give a quick stir. (Note: This powder has some dal flavour and spiciness. So add as required.)

10. Check for salt and spiciness, if everything is ok. Add grated coconut and mix well. Switch off the flame.

11. Remove and serve Kovakai poriyal with Sambar/Rasam/Curd Rice and Enjoy!

ADDITIONAL TIPS:

=> The urad dal-red chilly powder gives nice flavour and enhances the taste of the dish. Please do not skip it. You can prepare the urad dal-red chilly powder in large quantity and store in refrigerator for future use. You can use this powder for veggies like green beans, cluster beans, etc.

=> I have added sambar powder. You can replace with red chilly powder.

=> The specified amount of spiciness is sufficient for me. If you need more or less spicy adjust the quantity.

=> The grated coconut adjust the spiciness and gives nice taste to the dish.

=> The crushed garlic gives nice taste to the recipe. I recommend using it.