Lauki Sabzi

Pressure cooker seems to be my favorite cooking vessel for now :D It just makes my life so much more easier! Just chop, mix, sauté and seal and after few whistles your dish is ready… So pressure cooker friendly recipes are very enticing to me right now. And this is another one of those easy peasy recipes.

Lauki or bottle gourd is something that I don't buy very often. But after having tried this recipe for couple of times it has become part of my weekly grocery shopping list. Easy to prep and takes less time to cook; so its a very handy ingredient. There is a very unique flavor when you add lauki and I enjoy it with both rotis and rice equally.

Don't get fooled by the white, pale appearance as these are quite nutritious. Low in calories and fat, high in fibre - they are easy to digest preventing constipation and also offer various other health benefits like reducing high blood pressure, improving liver function and is very heart friendly. Nice, is it not? 

Lauki Sabzi Recipe:

Ingredients:

• Lauki / Bottle gourd - About 300gm, washed, peeled and cubed
• Onion - 1 medium finely chopped
• Tomatoes - 2 medium chopped
• Green chilly - 1 small slit
• Garlic - 4 cloves crushed
• Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp
• Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
• Chili powder - 1/4 tsp
• Coriander powder - 1/4 tsp
• Asafoetida - 1 big pinch
• Kasoori methi - 1/2 tsp crushed
• Salt to taste
• Water - about 1/4 cup
• Coriander leaves - chopped for garnish
• Ghee or clarified butter - 1 tbsp

Method:

• Heat ghee in a pressure cooker and add the cumin seeds. When they splutter add the asafoetida, onion, garlic and green chilly. Saute well till the onions become translucent.
• Add the chopped tomatoes and cook till they get mushy.
• Add the spices i.e. turmeric, chili and coriander powders followed by salt to taste. Give it a quick mix.
• Add the cubed bottle gourd or lauki and mix well. Pour enough water (this will depend on the consistency you want. I used about 3/4 cup). Let it simmer.
• Once it begins to boil put the lid on and cook for 2 whistles.
• After the pressure is let out, open the lid and simmer again. Garnish with chopped cilantro if you like.Serve hot with rotis or rice.