Essence-de-life

Roti pachadi's/pickles can be prepared with any vegetable of your choice.Rolu/mortar is a bowl, typically made of hard wood, ceramic or stone.I remember my grand mom using this mortar/pestle to grind the pachadi and also make batter for vada's and idli's.The pachadi/pickle prepared by using pestle has its own taste , its delicious compared to the one ground in the blender.
Nutritional values:
Ridge gourd is low in saturated fat and cholesterol, high in dietary fibre, vitamin C, riboflavin, zinc, thiamin, iron, magnesium and manganese. The nutritional value of gourd makes it suitable for maintaining optimum health, weight lose. It has excellent cooling properties.

Serves 2 , Preparation & Cooking time : 15min
Ingredients:
Ridge gourd - 1 peeled and cubed
Garlic - 3 pods
Tomato - 1 (optional)
Red chilies - 2
Green chilies - 2
Peanuts - 3 tsp(optional)
Cilantro - 1/2 cup chopped(optional)
Tamarind pulp- 2tsp(if using fresh tamarind , if you are using store brought paste use 1/4 tsp)
For Tempering/Tadka:
Oil - 2 tsp
Mustard seeds - 1/4tsp
Channa dal - 1tsp
Urad dal - 1/2 tsp
Turmeric - a pinch (optional)
Curry Leaves - 2
Method:
1.Clean and cut tomatoes,ridge gourd,green chilies,cilantro.Heat 1 tsp oil in a pan , add green chilies,red chilies,peanuts.After they splutter add ridge gourd,garlic,tomato and cook them on medium heat for 5-8 min ridge gourd is 60% cooked .
2.Add chopped cilantro and cook the mixture for 2 min.Turn off the heat .
3.Once the mixture comes to room temperature ,blend the mixture by adding salt and tamarind pulp(you can make this pachadi/pickle into smooth paste or also coarse depending on your taste) .
4.Take a pan , add 1 tsp oil .Once the oil is hot add mustard seeds,curry leaves,channa dal,urad dal,turmeric,.Once the dals turn brown switch off the heat and add the tempering to the pickle.