Lauki Ka Bharta (Bottle Gourd Mash)

Lauki Ka Bharta (Bottle Gourd Mash) - Simrun Chopra

I love variety in my food. This uses the humble Lauki or bottle gourd so easily available in India. Try this twist and tag me on Instagram if you do as @simrun.chopra

You can find the step by step process shots of this recipe here


Ingredients

  • 1/2 medium size lauki
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 1 1/2 medium size tomatoes chopped
  • Few green chillies chopped Pinch
  • 3-4 cloves of garlic chopped
  • 1 tsp grated ginger
  • 2 tbsp chopped coriander leaves
  • 1/2 tsp whole cumin 
  • 1/4 tsp asafoetida
  • Salt to taste
  • 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
  • 1/2 tsp kashmiri chilli powder (for colour)
  • Red chilli powder to taste
  • 1/4 tsp red chilli flakes
  • 3 tbsp oil/ghee


Method

  • Place a wire rack on the flame and place the lauki on it and roast the skin, like it's done for brinjal.
  • Once it is well roasted keep it aside to cool
  • When it cools down, peel the skin off and put the lauki in a chopper and chop or grind till coarse. Keep aside
  • In a pan heat your oil or ghee and once warm add the the asafoetida and the whole cumin and stir for few seconds
  • Once the cumin starts spluttering add the chopped onions and garlic
  • Stir fry on medium flame till the onions are translucent
  • Now add the grated ginger and stir fry for a minute use or so till the raw smell of the ginger disappears. 
  • Now add the chopped tomatoes and green chillies and saute till the tomatoes become soft
  • Add salt to taste ,1/4 tsp turmeric powder, red chilli powder to taste and 1/2 tsp of kashmiri chilli powder (for colour)
  • Saute till the masala becomes totally soft
  • Add the chopped ground lauki and mix it in well
  • Saute for few minutes and cover and cook on low flame, stirring in between, till the lauki is cooked .
  • Add the chopped coriander leaves and saute for few minutes.
  • Optional - Now can add a tadka on top, put 1 tsp ghee in a pan, when warm add chilli flakes and put it on top of the bharta.
  • Serve hot 

1 comment

  • lavanya

    Made this today exactly as directed and trust me it was very yummy !!! I just used a bit less oil .


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