Lauki/ Bottle gourd Kofta curry

Ingredients:

1. Lauki/bottlehourd - 1 small sized
2. Onions - 3 medium sized chopped
3. Tomatoes - 2 large
4. Ginger- garlic paste - 2 tbsp
5. Besan - 5-6 tbsp
6. Rice flour - 2 tbsp
7. Red chilli pd - 1 tsp
8. Kashmiri red chilli pd - 1 tsp
9. Haldi pd - 1 tsp
10. Coriander pd - 1 1/2 tsp
11. Garam masala - 1 tsp
12. Cloves - 2-3
13. Peppercorn - 2-3
14. Cinnamon - 1 small piece
15. Green cardamon - 1
16. Cashewnuts - 5-6 nos
17. Salt - as per taste
18. Sugar - 1/2 tsp or as required
19. Coriander leaves - for garnish
20. Water - as required
21. Oil - for deep frying

Method:

• To make kofta: Wash, peel lauki and grate. Squeeze all water.
• In a bowl take grated lauki, add 1 tsp ginger garlic paste, 1/2 tsp red chilli pd, 1/2 tsp haldi, 1/2 tsp coriander pd, 1/2 tsp garam masala, besan, rice flour, salt. Mix well if required add little more besan and make equal sized round balls.
• Deep fry koftas and keep aside.
• To make curry: Heat 1 tbsp oil in a pan, add cloves, pepper, cinnamon, cardamon, fry. Add chopped onions, remaining ginger garlic paste and fry till brown in colour. Add cashewnuts and fry for few seconds.Allow it to cool and grind to a thick paste.
• Blanch tomatoes and make puree without peeling.
• In the same pan, add 2 tbsp oil, add ground onion-cashew paste, fry for few seconds, add tomato puree.
• Add 1/2 tsp red chilli pd, kashmiri red chilli pd, 1/2 tsp haldi, coriander pd, garam masala, salt and sugar. Fry till oil seperates from sides.
• Add water as per the consistency of gravy required and cook for 7-8 mins.
• Garnish with chopped coriander leaves.
• Add koftas before serving.
• You can garnish with fresh cream.
• Serve with Roti or plain rice.