Lauki Kofta Recipe | Bottle Gourd Kofta Curry

LAUKI KOFTA CURRY RECIPE | STARTUP COOKING

This easy Lauki Kofta curry is a simple vegetarian dish made with lauki (bottle gourd) koftas which are dunked in an onion - tomato based curry. The koftas are traditionally deep fried or can be made in an air fryer. This makes a simple and comforting meal which can be served with boiled rice or any bread of your choice.

WHAT IS LAUKI KOFTA ?

Most often you will find kofta curries made with minced meat. However you can also make kofta with grated vegetables. In Indian cooking, we refer koftas as small dumplings which are deep fried and then dunked in a curry. Koftas can be made with several things including vegetables like bottle gourd, potato, paneer, beetroot, etc.,

Lauki is also bottle gourd or opo squash in English. Lauki is also called "doodhi" in India. So these are also called "bottle gourd kofta curry" or "doodhi ke kofte".

The best way to eat Lauki ke Kofte is with roti, phulka or parathas. You can also enjoy them with jeera rice or with hot steamed rice.

Malai Kofta is probably the most popular kofta curry in Indian cuisine. Lauki Kofta is more of a homestyle dish, the kind of dish that's made in Indian households on an everyday basis. Basically, it is not heavy and rich, it's just basic and good and the kind of dish that I grew up eating on a regular basis. We usually make lauki kofta like pakoras, so that we can enjoy with a cup of hot tea or coffee in the evening after school / office.

As a child, I never liked lauki, but now it's one of my favorites. So simple and healthy. My sister in law makes this kofta curry often, and my whole family loved it. However, I always thought making this curry took a lot of work because you had to make the kofta and the curry separately. Then cook them all together. Making a lot of kofta at once and freezing them is one way to save time. My sister in law also does this when she make malai kofta.

If you are bored with the usual paneer or mushroom recipes like mushroom kurma, Paneer makhani, mushroom biryani, Matar paneer, mushroom rice; then try this one, especially if you are looking for something flavorful and delicious! You can make this delicious kofta recipe for special occasions like kids parties, potlucks and buffets. Follow my step by step photo recipe to prepare Lauki Kofta. If you like this recipe share it, tweet it and pin it. Please do try and post your comments.

paneer recipes,

RECIPE FOR LAUKI KOFTA

Coarse : Brunch / Dinner

Cuisine : North Indian

Author : Jayashree Karthik

Prep Time : 15 min

Cook Time : 30 min

Total Time : 45 min

INGREDIENTS

FOR MAKING LAUKI KOFTA

1 large bottle gourd - grated

4 tbsp besan flour

1 green chilli - chopped

1/2 tsp red chilli powder

1/4 tsp garam masala powder

salt - to taste

oil - for deep fry

FOR ONION TOMATO PASTE

1 onion

2 tomato

1 green chilli

1 tsp ginger

4 garlic

10 cashews

FOR KOFTA CURRY

1 tbsp oil

1/4 tbsp unsalted butter

1 tsp cumin seeds

1/4 tsp turmeric powder

1/2 tsp red chilli powder

1 tsp coriander powder

1/4 tsp garam masala powder

salt - to taste

1/2 tsp sugar

1 cup water

1 tbsp fresh cream - optional

1 tsp kasoori methi - optional

COLLECTION OF SPINACH RECIPES

PROCEDURE

rinse, peel and grate a medium sized bottle gourd. you would have around 1 - 1.5 cups grated lauki (bottle gourd). Add it to a wide plate and then add pinch of salt to it. let it sit for 15 minutes

then transfer the grated lauki into a muslin cloth or strainer and squeeze as much water as possible from the lauki and transfer it to another plate

to that add besan flour, chopped green chilli, red chilli powder, garam masala powder and salt

mix well and sprinkle little water if needed and combine everything. Mixture should be loose so don't try to add more besan flour for binding. If it's too tight, it won't cook well from inside

take small portions from the mixture and divide it into 11-12 small balls

heat oil in a wok and gentle drop the balls and deep fry in low medium flame till it turns dark brown and gently flip over the balls to other side and cook evenly

the koftas are done now and set them aside

in the blender, add onion, tomatoes, green chilli, garlic, ginger and cashews and grind to a smooth fine paste without adding water

now heat oil and unsalted butter in a pan and temper with cumin seeds and then add ground onion tomato paste along with turmeric powder, red chilli powder, coriander powder, garam masala powder, salt and sugar