lauki ke kofte

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holy moly, i was writing the title of this post and as usual, i was about to write its english translation when i realized it is "balls of long gaurd". LMAO! But I hope that it doesn't put you off your appetite since this is a healthy version of one truly delicious dish. "Healthy" because instead of frying the balls (ahm...), you can steam them followed by pan frying to hold the shape when put in the gravy.

Ingredients:

For the Koftas:
Long Guard/ Lauki - 1.5 kgs
Ajwain - 1/2 teaspoon
Salt - 1/2 teaspoon
Finely Chopped Chilli - 6-10
Finely Chopped Garlic - 3-4 cloves
Finely Chopped Ginger - Finger-size
Lemon Juice - 2 tablespoon
(Besan 4 tablespoon and 1/2 tablespoon Baking Powder)
OR
(4 tablespoon self raising flour)
Jeera (Cumin) powder - 1 teaspoon




Peel, Grate the lauki and mix it all together (don't add water unless required as the lauki leaves water when grated which is enough to hold it together). Done!

Make golf ball sized balls. Now either steam it/ boil it/ deep fry it (deep frying is of course the tastiest, but from health perspective, steaming is perfect!). Steam for 6 minutes. Pan fry the steamed balls so that they hold their shape when put in gravy.

For the gravy -

Ingredients

Finely chopped Onion - 1 medium
Finely chopped Tomatoes - 2 medium
Jeera (Cumin) seeds - 1 teaspoon
Oil - 4 tablespoon
Spice mix paste -
1/2 teaspoon chilli powder,
1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder,
1 teaspoon coriander powder,
the three mixed with 50 ml water
Salt 1/2 teaspoon

Put the cumin seeds in hot oil and add the onions. Turn heat to medium. When they are light brown, turn heat to high, add the spice paste. Add tomatoes as soon they start sticking to base (as we don't want to burn the spices). Turn heat to medium again and cook for another 10 minutes till it thickens. Add 1/2 liter water and cook for another 10 minutes. Add the koftas and serve. Yupp - easy :)