Lau Ghonto (Bottle Gourd Curry - Bengali Style)

          This is a typical homemade style Bottle Gourd curry that is very commonly made in many Bengali household. Bori / vadi / dried lentil dumplings are used to prepare this simple recipe for a crunchy effect. 

          It is cooked with minimum of spices, the dominant flavour comes from the coriander leaves and the ghee that is added to the end product. It goes well as a side dish with both rice and chapattis. For the non-veg. version, generally it is cooked with prawns or fish head. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare it.

• 1 medium size bottle gourd, diced
• 2-3 tbsp. mustard oil
• 8-10 bori / dried lentil dumplings
• 1 tsp. cumin seeds
• 2-3 green chilies, slit
• salt of taste
• 1/2 tsp. turmeric powder
• 1 tsp. cumin powder 
• handful of coriander leaves, chopped
• 1 tsp. ghee 

          Heat oil in a pan and temper with cumin seeds. After it stops spluttering, add the lentil dumplings and fry till golden in colour.

          Now add the diced bottle gourd, salt, turmeric powder, cumin powder and green chilies. Mix everything well and cook, covered on a low flame till they turns soft and the moisture dries up. (Add water if needed)

         When done, add ghee and coriander leaves and give it a stir. Serve as a side dish with either rice or chapattis.

                      Heat oil & temper with cumin seeds. Then add dried lentil dumplings
                      & fry till golden in colour.

                     Add diced bottle gourd, salt, turmeric powder, cumin powder & green 
                     chilies. Mix well & cook, covered on low flame till tender & done.

                     (Add water if required).

                        Then add ghee & coriander leaves & give it a stir.

                                Serve as a side dish with either rice or chapattis.