Lauki ka Dhal / Sorakai Kootu

Lauki (aka) Bottle Gourd (aka) Sorakai helps in weight management. Cooked lauki is a good antidote to urinary disorders. The juice of the fruit is prescribed for stomach acidity, indigestion and ulcer

 I cook Lauki atleast twice a week owing to its beneficial values

Ingredients

Cooker

• Lauki / Bottlegourd / Sorakai - 2 long ones
• Moong dhal - 1/4 cup
• Turmeric - 1/2 teaspoon
• Water - To immerse the contents

Tadka

• Oil - 2 teaspoons
• Mustard and jeera seeds - 1/2 teaspoon each
• Red chillies - 3 (cut opened vertically)
• Curry leaves - little
• Onion - 1
• Tomato - 1

Salt - little more than 1 teaspoon

Garnishing

• Coriander leaves - little

Method

Step 1

• Chop Lauki into small cubes
• Slightly dry roast moong dhal in a pan
• Take the chopped lauki and moong dhal together in a pressure pan
• Add turmeric and pour water.Mix well and pressure cook for 3 whistles

Step 2

• Heat oil in a kadai.Splutter mustard and jeera seeds
• Add red chillies and curry leaves
• Fry finely chopped onions with little salt till it becomes golden brown
• Saute diced tomatoes with a pinch of salt

Step 3

• Pour in the pressure cooked lauki and dhal
• Add little more water to adjust the consistency
• Put salt and mix well.Cook it for 2 minutes to blend the contents
• Switch off the stove and garnish with finely chopped coriander leaves

This subji / Kootu can be mixed with plain rice, jeera rice or as a side dish for phulkas