LAUKI KI SABJI ( BOTTLE GOURD CURRY)

Course: Sauce based Veg – Mains

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cooking time: 20 minutes

Total time: 30 mins

Serves: 4 to 6

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp of ghee or any oil as per your choice
• 1 tsp Jeera (cumin seeds)
• ½ tsp of black rye ( mustard seeds)
• 1 tbsp of dry methi (fenugreek leaves)
• 1 large onion, 3 cloves of garlic and 1inch ginger, chopped in a food processor or cut into tiny piece
• ½ tsp haldi (turmeric powder)
• 1  tsp of dhania (coriander powder)
• 1 tsp rock salt. More can be added after tasting,
• 2 fresh tomatoes, chopped in food processor or cut into small pieces or ½  a can of chopped tomato can also be used
• 1 tsp tomato puree ( optional)
• 1 medium size lauki, peeled and chopped into ½ inch pieces
• 1 green chili, cut into small pieces (optional)
• ½ an inch of unwaxed lemon rind, nicely grated
• 1 tsp of lemon juice
• ½ tsp of garam masala (optional)
• Few stigs of fresh dhania (coriander leaves) cut into small pieces, coarsely
• Water ¼ cup or more can be added if wanted it to be more watery

Method:

1. Keep the pressure cooker on medium heat and add ghee or oil of your choice.  When the ghee gets a little hot, add cumin and mustard seeds. As soon as it starts bubbling, add the mixture of onion, ginger and garlic and cook these for 5 to 7 minutes stirring occasionally. Once the color changes to light pink, add haldi, salt, dhania powder and methi leaves. Soon after, add chopped tomato, tomato puree, and chili and mix these nicely. At this point reduce the heat to low and cover the pan so that the tomatoes are combined properly and it turns into a smooth paste. This takes another 5 to 7 minutes. This paste should be stirred occasionally so that it does not get burnt.
2. Add lauki and combine with the sauce. Add water and give two whistles or keep it for 5 minutes after pressure has been built.
3. Sometimes, lauki pieces remain hard even after two whistles, if it happens, then another whistle can be given.
4. Add lemon juice and take it out in a bowl. Sprinkle garam masala and cover it.
5. Before serving, decorate it with dhania leaves

Special Notes:

1. Lauki sabji is ready. Serve with roti, pratha and rice and enjoy.
2. Oil can be used to make the recipe vegan