Fried dumplings gravy (lauki kofta curry)

 

This curry is also known as doodhi or lauki kofta curry. Here grated bottle gourd is mixed with chick pea flour and fried into dumplings. Then it is immersed in spicy tangy tomato gravy. This curry is another all-time favourite in our house. The gravy is simple with flavours of carom seeds and fried onion, while the dumplings are soft and spiced with green chillies and green coriander.

Ingredients for dumplings:

Bottle gourd -400gms

Chick pea flour -100gms

Chopped green chillies - 2tsps

Chopped coriander leaves -1tsp

Chopped ginger -1/tsp

Salt to taste

Oil for frying

Method:

Peel and grate the bottle gourd. Squeeze out the juice and reserve the liquid.

Combine the residue with chick pea flour, green chillies, coriander leaves, ginger and salt. Make small round balls and deep fry them in small batches. Keep it aside.

Ingredients for the gravy:

Tomatoes - 4

Carom seeds -1tsp

Onion -2 (chopped finely)

Chilli flakes -2tsp

Garam masala powder - 1tsp

Sugar -1tsp

Salt and oil - as required

Chopped coriander leaves for garnishing

Method:

Puree the tomatoes in a blender. Keep it aside. Heat little oil in a frying pan and fry the carom seeds. Add the onions. Fry till it becomes brown. Add the chilli flakes, garam masala powder, salt, sugar, the reserved water and pureed tomatoes. Cook for few seconds till is blended.  Garnish with coriander leaves.

Immerse the fried dumplings in the gravy and serve within five minutes.

Note: Carom seeds are also known as bishop’s weed. In Hindi, it is known as ajwain.