Lau/Lauki Kofta Curry

Hi Readers,

As promised in my earlier post Bharwa Lauki/Stuffed Bottle gourd, I had prepared Lauki or Bottle gourd Kofta curry in Odia style, in same method as my Mom used to cook. As a child this was one of my favorite dish prepared by mom. This is a common dish in most of the northern states in India. However, the Kofta preparation varies from places to places. My friend Preeti who belongs to Jharkhand prepares same dish in another method. However, both the taste would vary due to the method of cooking. Ingredients remain same. Mostly, kofta is served with tomato based curry. 

In this recipe, the Lauki filling does not have Besan added to it and it is dipped in Besan or gram flour Batter to form the outer cover. In other method, all ingredients of Kofta and mixed together and is directly depp fried.Lets now have a look at the Ingredients and preparation method.

Ingredients for Kofta :-

1 Bottle gourd/Lauki/Lau/Doodhi - peeled and shredded

4 to 5 flakes garlic chopped

1 green chili chopped

1 tbsp Coriander powder

1/2 tbsp turmeric powder

1/2 tbsp red chili powder (optional)

1/2 cup besan

salt to taste

1/4 cup water

oil to fry

Ingredients for tomato based gravy :- 

2 ripe tomatoes pureed

2 onions, 4 to 5 flakes garlic and 1 inch ginger , 2 green chili-make a paste

1/4 tbsp turmeric powder

1/2 tbsp roasted cumin powder

1 tbsp garam masala

1 tbsp oil

1 tbsp cumin seeds

salt to taste

chopped coriander leaves for garnish

Method :-

Kofta :- 

Heat a pan, add about 1 tbsp oil. When it is hot, add green chili, garlic and saute for 1 min. Now add the shredded bottle gourd, add turmeric powder, coriander powder, salt , red chili powder and mix well. Let it cook over medium flame. Mix this mixture in between and let it cook till all water from bottle gourd evaporates. Now, the filling is ready, take it out and let it cool for about 10 mins or till you can pick it by hand. In another bowl, take besan, salt and water. Mix this to form a batter of Pokora consistency. Take the bottle gourd filling in palm and form small balls give it the shape of your desire and deep it in besan batter and then fry it till all the sides are cooked properly. Remove and keep aside. This would look as shown in the second picture.

Gravy :-

After, all the kofta is done, remove excess oil from pan. In same pan add 1 tbsp Cumin seeds. Then add the paste made of onion,gralic,green chili and ginger. Let it cook over medium flame till the mixture starts separating oil. Add tomato puree, turmeric powder, garam masala and salt to it. Add water if it is too thick and let it cook for 2 mins. Now, add the kofta cover and cook for another 2 to 3 mins. 

Serve hot garnished with coriander leaves.