Lauki Kofta Curry is a preparation wherein bottle gourd dumplings are served in onion tomato based gravy flavored with ginger, green chilies, and fresh coriander.
Grated onions and tomatoes are used instead of ground or pureed ones. They give more texture to the dish. The onions have to be browned very well. Ginger has been used both in the dumplings and gravy. Tangy (desi) tomatoes have to be used.
Bottle gourd… seems boring to many. But it is super healthy and versatile. Keeping the health factor in mind, I have omitted deep frying the dumplings (kofte). Instead, I have fried them in appam pan. In fact, my daughter loved to take pan fired lauki ke kofte in her tiffin. And why just Tiffin, my kids would attack this lauki ke kofta before they get a chance to dip themselves into the gravy. Another interesting and healthy recipe using bottle gourd is lauki muthia.
1. Make mixture for kofta : Mix together 2 cups grated bottle gourd, 4-5 tbsp gram flour, salt to taste, ½ tsp red chili powder, and ¼ tsp turmeric powder. Add a handful of chopped coriander and mix. Combine everything to make a workable batter. If required add more gram flour.Do not discard the bottle gourd juice obtained by squeezing grated bottle gourd. Use it in the gravy.
2. Fry kofta : Place an appam pan on heat. Add a few drops of oil. Shape the kofta batter into balls. Add balls in the appam pan. Drizzle more oil if required. Fry koftas till golden brown from all the sides. Keep them aside.
1. Cook onion and spices : Heat 2-3 tbsp oil. Add ½ tsp cumin seeds. Once they crackle, add 2 grated onions. Cook them till brown. Add dry spices i.e. 2 tsp coriander powder, 1 tsp red chili powder, and ½ tsp turmeric powder. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
2. Cook tomatoes and ginger : Add 3 grated tomatoes and 1” ginger. Cook till the oil oozes.
3. Add water and salt : Add 1-1 ½ cup water. Add salt to taste. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes.
1. Add koftas to the gravy :
2. Bon appétit : Serve lauki kofta curry with hot parathas of your choice.
PREP TIME 20 minutes
COOK TIME 20 minutes
TOTAL TIME 40 minutes
1. Make batter for kofta
Mix together 2 cups grated bottle gourd, 4-5 tbsp gram flour, salt to taste, ½ tsp red chilli powder, and ¼ tsp turmeric powder. Mix everything. Add handful of chopped coriander and mix. Combine everything to make workable batter. If required add more gram flour.
Tip: Do not discard the bottle gourd juice obtained by squeezing grated bottle gourd. Use it in the gravy.
2. Fry kofta
Place an appam pan on heat. Add few drops of oil. Shape the kofta batter into balls. Add balls in the appam pan. Drizzle more oil if required. Fry koftas till golden brown from all the sides. Keep them aside.
1. Cook onion and spices
Heat 2-3 tbsp oil. Add ½ tsp cumin seeds. Once they crackle, add 2 grated onions. Cook them till brown. Add dry spices i.e. 2 tsp coriander powder, 1 tsp red chilli powder and ½ tsp turmeric powder. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
2. Cook tomatoes and spices
Add 3 grated tomatoes and 1” ginger. Cook till the oil oozes.
3. Add water and salt
Add 1-1 ½ cup water. Add salt to taste. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes.
1. Add koftas to gravy
Simmer for 2-3 minutes.
2. Bon appétit
Serve lauki kofta curry with hot phulkas.
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Visitor Rating: 4 Stars
Yummy!!