SORAKKAI / BOTTLE GOURD KURMA

Lauki / Bottle gourd / Sorakkai Kurma is a mild curry/gravy made of coconut and cashew nut paste. It is a healthy and easy side dish accompaniment for Roti, Chapati etc. You can also make this gravy with other vegetables like turnip, chow chow etc.. Lets look at the method of making this gravy.

Preparation time: 10 mints | Cooking time: 20 mints | Serves: 4

Ingredients:

Oil - 4 tbspn

Cumin Seeds - 1 tspn

Bottle gourd - 1.5 cup Chopped

Onion - 3/4 cup finely chopped

Tomato - 1/2 cup finely chopped

Ginger Garlic Paste - 1 tbspn

Salt - To taste

Turmeric Powder - 1/4 tspn

Red Chili Powder - 1/2 tspn

Coriander Powder - 1/2 tspn

For Grinding:

Grated Coconut - 1/4 cup

Poppy Seeds - 1 tbspn

Cashews - 4

Green Chili - 2

Cloves - 4

Cardamom - 1

Peppercorns - 1/4 tspn

Cinnamon Stick - 1 inch tspn

Star Annis - 1

Method:

1. Add the poppy seeds, whole spices, pepper, g.chili and cashews to blender and soak in hot water for 10 minutes. Then add the grated coconut to the blender.

2. Grind it to a fine paste. Wash, peel and chop the bottle gourd into small cubes and set it aside. Heat a cooker, add oil. Add cumin seeds and allow it to sputter. Add chopped onion to it.

3. Saute till they are transparent. Then add the ginger garlic paste. Cook for 3 mints. Add chopped tomato and saute till they are mushy. Add ground masala to it.

4. Stir well. Add turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder and salt . Mix well. Add chopped bottle gourd and 1 Cup water to it. Mix well.

5. Close the cooker and pressure cook it for 3-4 whistle. After the pressure is fully released, mix well.

Serve the Kurma with Roti..!!