Oh Gourd!

The poor humble Lauki (Bottle Gourd) is always at the receiving end of a lot of bashing by food lovers. One feels rather sorry for this poor vegetable. No one seems to like it – and across movies and television ads, it is always the subject of ridicule, regularly featuring in jokes and jibes about boring, unappetizing food.

Let’s put that myth to rest and restore the dignity of the Lauki. In fact, it is a very healthy vegetable and it doesn’t deserve such shoddy treatment.

Here’s a simple recipe that will turn the “boring” Lauki into a dish that will make your mouth water. And what is the ingredient that makes this transformation possible? Mustard Oil – lots of mustard oil!

Lip-smacking Lauki

INGREDIENTS:

Lauki (Bottle Gourd): 1 Kg (Peeled and cut into cubes)

Dried Lentil Cakes (Bari): 100 gram (Fried)

P Mark Mustard Oil: 3 Tablespoons/45 ml

Cumin Seeds (Jeera): 1 Teaspoon (5 gram)

Green chillies: 2-3 (Slit along the middle)

Onions: 2 (Chopped)

Ginger (Adrak): 2 Tablespoons/30 gram (Paste)

Turmeric (Haldi): 1 Teaspoon/5 gram (Powder)

Sugar: 1 Tablespoon/15 gram

Salt to taste

METHOD:

Take a wok (Kadhai) and pour the mustard oil into it. Heat the oil and temper with the Cumin seeds and the Green chillies. Next, add the Onions and fry them until they turn light brown.

Now add the Ginger paste, Turmeric powder and Salt; fry for half a minute or so. Then add the cubes of Lauki along with the sugar – and mix well. Now turn down the heat, cover the wok and let the mixture simmer till it is cooked.

Garnish the dish using the fried Lentil Cakes (Bari) after drying them. Serve hot.