Nenua With Kaala Chana

To my surprise & shock, apparently you DO get nenua (ridge gourd) in Bangalore, that too on a day of national shutdown! So here's Bihari style nenua with kaala chana :D

You'll need:

* 1.5 cups kaala chana, soaked overnight
* 1kg peeled nenua
* 1 large onion, finely chopped lengthwise
* 1/2 tsp jeera
* 2 bay leaves
* 2 red chilies
* 1 tsp turmeric powder
* 1 tsp coriander powder
* 1/2 tsp jeera powder
* 1 tsp red chili powder
* Salt to taste
* Cooking oil

1. Sabse pehle, pressure cook the chana with 1 tsp salt in 1.5 l of water for 5 min. Just ensure that the chana is a little tender but its shape is still intact; it shouldn't become slush/pulp/mulch :P

2. Now, heat 4 tbsp cooking oil in a kadhai & add jeera & the bay leaves to it. When this begins to sputter, add the onion & saute for a while on a medium flame till the onion turns translucent & pink.

3. Post this, add the turmeric powder, coriander powder, jeera powder & red chili powder & saute for 2 min. Then add the nenua, chana & salt.

4. Now saute this for 5 min, cover & then cook on a low flame till the nenua becomes tender.

5.Once done, take off from the flame.

TipToEat: Serve piping hot with off-the-tava rotis. Heaven!