Chow chow with chana dal

     As I am fond of trying new things in my kitchen,one afternoon when I looked at fresh,green chow chow at the Indian store,could not resist trying it. I got it home, asked my South Indian friend for a recipe but still my mind tried to make a mental recipe trial. To try a new vegetable means I should make a great recipe with loads of spices to cover up ( my trick to make sure family laps up all my trials ). So This afternoon,I took it out of the fridge and made a nice spicy gravy with coconut and sesame seeds. It just came out too well and my family enjoyed this lovely curry with rice.
SERVES : 3-4 people
Ingredients
Chow chow/Chayote chopped                            1 no
Soaked Chana dal                                               1/2 cup
Chopped onions                                                 1 no
Chopped potato                                                  1 no
Garlic cut into halves                                          6-8 cloves
Grated ginger                                                     1 tbsp
Curry leaves                                                       1/4 cup
grated coconut                                                    3 tbsp
sesame seeds                                                       2 tbsp
dry red chilli                                                       2-3 nos
pepper corns                                                       4-5 nos
hing                                                                    size of green pea
Tomato chopped                                                3 nos
methi seeds                                                        1/4 tsp
Chilli powder                                                     1/4 tsp
coriander powder                                               1 tbsp
Tumeric                                                              1/2 tsp
Mustard seeds                                                     1 tsp
Oil                                                                      1 Tbsp
Fennel powder                                                   1/2 tsp
Coriander chopped                                            1/4 cup
Salt to taste
Method
Heat oil and add mustard seeds and let them splutter.
Add chopped onions,curry leaves,ginger and garlic.Saute well.
Add the chow chow and potatoes and mix well.Stir in some tumeric and salt and cover to cook till half done.Keep aside
In a pan dry roast sesame seeds,red chilli,pepper corns, methi seeds and hing till spluttering.
In a blender mix coconut,curry leaves,sesame seeds mixture and grind to a fine paste.
Ina pan heat 1/2 tsp oil and add the paste in it and add all the dry spices.Cook till well done.
Add the soaked chana dal and mix well.
Add water and pressure cook till dal is nearly done.
Add the chow chow and mix well.
adjust the water consistency and cover to cook till done.
Top with coriander leaves and serve hot with rice.