Here's the recipe:
Ingredients:
Bottle gourd - 2 cups
Turmeric - 1/2 tsp
Coconut grated - 1/2 cup
Green Chillies - 2 small
Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
Cilantro - 1 tbs
Yoghurt - 1/2 cup
Coconut oil / Canola oil - 2 tsp
Water - 1/4 cup
For Tempering:
Dried red chillies - 2 small
Curry Leaves - 6
Mustard seeds 1/2 tsp
Method:
1. Peel the bottle gourd, cut it lengthwise into 2 halves, scoop out the pulp and cut it into small cubes.
2. Steam it with 1/4 cup water till it is just tender, do not over cook.
3. Grind together the grated coconut, cumin seeds, green chillies and cilantro with a little water to make a smooth paste.
4. Add this ground paste to the cooked bottle gourd along with the turmeric powder and simmer for a while till the raw smell vanishes. Switch off the stove.
5. Whisk the yoghurt to a creamy texture and add it immediately to the pot with the bottle gourd, mix well gently. Put it back on the stove on very low heat till it is hot enough. Remove from heat to add the tempering.
6. Heat 2 tsp of oil in a pan, add mustard seeds and when they splutter add the dried red chillies followed by the curry leaves. Immediately pour this over the bottle gourd coconut yoghurt gravy. Close the lid to retain the flavours. Serve hot with boiled rice. It is so yummy!
Tips:
1. Do not over cook the vegetables.
2. Do not boil the gravy after adding the yoghurt as it will curdle. Heat it only on low heat while stirring every now and then.
3. Use 3 day old slightly sour yoghurt. The sweetness of the coconut combined with the tangy yoghurt balances the taste.
