Ridge Gourd Pulav/Ridge gourd Masala Rice

        Usually i use to make curry and poriyal only with ridge gourd, for the first time i tried something new and it was really yummy.Recipe source..my Mom,yes few days back when i was talking with her she said that she made some masala rice with ridge guord,brinjal n chayote.It was quite interesting to me..she said that get bored to cook for 2 only(mom n dad) ..making sambar,rasam n poriyal sometimes irriates her more...so she made it to a one pot meal..So i too want to try that recipe..but i bit changed and tried with ridge gourd n potato..this was new combo to me but was so good ..enjoyed with onion-cucumber raitha .Heres the recipe...
Nutritional Benefits of Ridge gourd:Ridge gourd is loaded with nutrients such as dietary fiber, vitamin C, riboflavin, zinc, thiamin, iron and magnesium. It is also low in fat and calories.Cellulose in ridge gourd helps to overcome constipation and also aids in curing piles.A glass of Ridge gourd juice mixed with other healthy vegetables in the morning can help to strengthen your immune system against any infection

Ingredients
Basmati rice  2 cupsRidge gourd   1 and 1/2 lb(peeled and cut thinly)Potato  1 no.(thickly stripped)Onion   2  medium (sliced)Tomato  2 medium(chopped)Ginger garlic paste   1 tbspGreen chilli   4-5 no.sMint leaves    3-4 sprigsTurmeric powder   1/4 tspChilli powder   1/2 tspGaram masala   1/2 tspYoghurt/thick curd   1 tbspSalt   as per needToasted bread slices  2-3 (cut into small pieces) optionalCashew nuts   5-6 (roasted)optionalTo Temper
Oil    2 tbspFennel seeds    1 tspClove   2-3 no,sCinnamon   1" stickMethod
Soak basmati rice for 20-30 minutes and cook 3/4 th(add 2-3 cardamoms along with rice to the boiling water n cook) and allow to cool,make it spread in a wide plate and keep aside..Heat a non stick vessel,add oil when it get hot add the tempering ingredients and allow to splutter.Then add the onions and green chillies and fry till onion turns pink.And add the ginger garlic paste and saute till raw smell leaves.After that add chopped tomatoes and mint leaves ,and saute till tomatoes turn soft n mushy.Now add the ridge guord and potato and stir well, and add yoghurt,turmeric powder,chilli powder and garam masala.,mix well and saute for 1-2 minutes.Then cover it with a lid and cook in medium heat for 3-4 minutes.Then add about 1/2 cup water ,enough salt and few chopped cilantro and again cook covered till the masalas blend well and oil separates.Now add the 3/4 th cooked rice and mix gently and add some fried cashew nuts and toasted bread pieces.Mix everything gently and keep it in dhum for some 10-15 minutes.(cover the vessel with a lid tightly).Now the delicious ridge gourd pulav is ready to enjoy.Serve hot with raitha or curry of your choice.you can also add some cubed paneer (if in hand) to make the pulav even more rich n delicious.Can also try with some left over rice also.