Bottle gourd (Lauki) rice

Bottle gourd is a vegetable high on water and is a rich source of vitamin C, K and calcium. It is low in saturated fat, cholesterol, high in dietary fibre, Vitamin C, riboflavin, zinc, thiamine, iron, magnesium and manganese. It helps in maintaining a healthy heart and blood pressure.  The juice is also beneficial for diabetic patients as it stabilizes the blood sugar level.

Bottle gourd rice is easy to make and nutritious. It is prepared similar to ridge gourd rice.

                                 Bottle gourd rice served with aloo palak and raw mango gojju

Ingredients:

1 cup rice

2 cups of skinned and grated Bottle gourd     

½ tsp finely cut Ginger 

1 Green chilli cut into small pieces

2 tbsps of Oil       

½ tsp Mustard seeds   

1 tsp udad dal

2 tsps chana dal

Salt to taste

Yoghurt            - ¾ cup

Water   - 1 cup

To garnish

Cut coriander leaves- 2 tbsps

Grated coconut - 2 tbsps

Instruction:

-         Wash and soak the rice for about ten minutes    

-         Heat oil in the pressure cooker, add mustard seeds. When they splutter, add the udad dal and the chana dal. When they brown slightly, add the cut ginger and green chilli.

-        Add the grated bottle gourd, stir, keep on medium flame and let it cook for a minute, stirring it, till the excess water evaporates.

-       Add the soaked rice, stir for two seconds, pour the yoghurt, then water and salt.

-       Close the pressure cooker and put on the valve.

-       After the whistle, reduce the flame, and cook for 5 to six minutes, depending on the rice. For sona masuri I keep for 5 ½ minutes.

-       Let it cool before opening.  Garnish with grated coconut and cut coriander leaves while serving.