Yum! Yum! Yum!

Last year I have got a lot of Bottle Gourd (Sorakaya) yield from my Garden. After making some family favorites with this vegetable and after distributing to friends and neighbors, there are still some more! When we thought the plant is done with its yield, for the unexpected rain in the fall season the plant determined to give some more until the first frost. As I got bored with the routine varieties of this winter squash vegetable, today I have twisted this in Bagara Style  by using the Spice powder i use for Bagara Baingan Curry and that resulted in Bagara Lauki! I have totally liked this variation and lentil spices used in this recipe gave a spicy twist to this. This can be served with Roti or White Rice or any Pulao Rice. Here is the recipe, Njoy!



Ingredients:
Lauki - 1 medium ( Sorakaya)
Onion - 1 medium
Tomato - 2
Oil - 2 Tbsp
Turmeric Powder - 1/2 tsp
Cumin Seeds - 1 tsp
Mustard Seeds - 1 tsp
salt - 1 tsp
Red Chili Powder - 1/2 tsp
Coriander Powder - 1/2 tsp
Tamarind Paste - 1 Tbsp
Cilantro - for garnish

Lentil Spice Powder:
Red Chili - 1
Chana Dal - 1 Tbsp
Peanuts  - 2 Tbsp
Sesame Seeds - 1 Tbsp
Coconut Powder - 2 Tbsp



Preparatory Steps:

• Roast the red chili, Chana Dal, Peanuts, Sesame Seeds until they turn to light brown color. Let them cool off and grind in a small mixie jar into coarse powder. 
• Chop the Onion and Tomato into small pieces and keep it aside. 
• Wash and peel the Bottle Gourd, discard the seeds. Cut it into medium size cubes.
• Saute the Bottle Gourd cubes in the non-stick pan in 1 tsp oil, until they become tender ( for 10 min)

Method: 

1. Heat the Heavy Bottom Pan ( i have used my pressure pan), add Oil to it. Once the oil is hot, add cumin seeds, mustard seeds. As they start spluttering, add finely chopped onion pieces. Add turmeric powder and saute them for 3 min. 
2. Now add tomato pieces to the pan and mix with onions. Saute for 2 min. Add salt, red chili powder and coriander powder. let it simmer until it comes together. 
3. Now add half cooked bottle gourd cubes to the gravy. Close the lid and cook for 5 min. 
4. Now add Lentil Spice Powder and Tamarind paste. Add some water as needed to get some gravy. Now close the lid and cook for 15 min. After 15 min, the Bottle Gourd must be cooked very well becoming soft. Taste and adjust the seasonings. Top with Cilantro and Switch off the stove. 
5. Transfer to Serving Bowl and server hot with Roti or Rice. 

Take a Close Peek!

More Lauki Recipes:

• Sorakay Halwa
• Sorakaya Pulusu
• Sorakaya Mukkala Chutney

will be back with another twisted recipe
take care until then
-Mythreyi