Kovakkai (kundru/ivy gourd) rice
This is a Maharashtrian preparation that uses a special masala called Goda (गोडा) masala. Click here for the recipe for goda masala. It is very easy to make but it is easily available online at Amazon too. This rice is a highly flavoursome dish and it tastes even better the following day.
Ingredients
Basmati rice – 1 cup
Kovakkai – 15-20
Turmeric powder – 1-2 tsp
Salt – to taste
Ghee – 1-2 tbsp
Oil – 2 tbsp
Wash the rice and cook with enough water so that it cooks into soft and fluffy rice (not gooey). Remove from cooker, pour in a bowl, add the ghee and set aside. In a kadai add the oil and add the kovakkay that have been cut lengthwise into quarters. Add turmeric powder and sufficient salt till well cooked.
Add the cooked vegetables to the rice plus 2-3 tbsp of goda masala (to taste) and sufficient salt. Mix well and serve with any raita. Serves 6.