BOTTLE GOURD RICE

Bottle gourd which is Sorakaya in tamil, Anapakaya in telugu, lauki or dhudi in hindi is used for many dishes in India like curries, subzi, Halwa and many more. It has more water content which is low in saturated fat and cholesterol. High in Dietary Fiber, Vitamin C, Riboflavin, Zinc, Thiamin, Iron etc. This rice tastes so delicious, serve with raita and boiled egg.

Ingredients :

Basmathi rice - 2 cup 
Water - 3 cup measured

Bottle Gourd - 2 cups chopped to big cubes

Tomato - 2 chopped medium sized

Onion - 1 sliced length wise

Turmeric - little

Chilli powder - 2 tsp

curry leaves - few
Mint - few leaves

Coriander for garnishing

Masala for grinding :

Ginger - 1 inch

Garlic - 4 pod

Saunf - 2 tsp
Coconut - 1 1/2 tbsp

Seasoning:

Cinnamon - 1/2 inch

Cloves - 2
Cardamom - 2
Star anise - 1

oil and salt as required

Method :

1. Heat oil in a pressure cooker , add the spices followed by sliced onion and curry leaves. 

2. Add the ground Masala and mint leaves. Once the raw aroma disappears.

3. Add the tomato, turmeric and chilli powder. Cook until they become soft and mushy.

4. Add the bottle gourd and saute lightly. 

5. Add the rice and boiling water(which is measured and kept) close the lid ,when steam comes out put the whistle and keep it in a very low flame for 10 minutes 6. Once the whistle sound subsides, remove the lid fluff the rice with the fork.  Garnish with the chopped coriander leaves.

Note:

1.Do not saute bottlegourd for long time.