Bottle gourd Prawns

Bottle gourd prawns 

Bottle gourd Prawns 

This dish is very popular in West Bengal and the original recipe is known as Lau Chingri.

The recipe I have given below is a changed version specially for those who want to cook the dish quickly and with a little twist . 

Bottle gourd is a very under-rated vegetable but has amazing digestive qualities .Its should be on any dieters top list. 

I have also added curry leaves.These little wonders have an amazing aroma & great digestive qualities.

The quantity of prawns can be reduced as per taste.

Ingredients : 

prawns : 250 gm 

bottle gourd /lauki : 750 gm

oil-1 tbsp

onion -1 medium 

curry leaves - 4-6 

green chilly -1 

red chilly-1/4 tsp

turmeric powder-1/4 tsp

garam masala - 1/4 tsp

mustard seeds -1/2 tsp (optional)

coriander leaves-for garnish

salt-to taste

Cooking time:

Pressure cooker method -20 minutes 

Pan method-35 minutes

Serves : 4 persons 

How to choose the right piece :

Adding this header for the first time as there are many varieties available in the market and buying the right one will only enhance the taste of the dish .

While buying this vegetable choose one which has a green skin as opposed to one which is more whitish.

Also gentle press the vegetable with your nail .If it is fresh your nail will go in effortlessly.

I prefer to pick bottle gourd not weighing between 500-750 gm.

Method : 

Peel the bottle gourd

Start with peeling the skin of the bottle gourd .Cut into small cubes and keep aside.Chop the onion & coriander leaves finely .Slit the green chilly into two. If you do not like too much spice, remove the seeds of the green chilly. Add a pinch of turmeric powder to the cleaned prawns and keep aside.

Heat oil in the pan & add the mustard seeds (optional) and curry leaves. Once the mustard seeds begin to crackle add the onions and fry for 2-3 minutes.

Onions, green chilly & curry leaves being fried

Add chopped bottle gourd

Now add the bottle gourd  and stir so that the onions mix with the bottle gourd. Cover the pan and let it cook, stirring it occasionally  till there is no water left in the pan.

The faster way to cook this dish is to use a pressure cooker.You can follow the procedure step by step as mentioned above and after you add the bottle gourd ,close the lid of the pressure cooker.
Do not add extra water in the pressure cooker.
Do not pressure cook for more than 1 whistle.

Extra precaution should be taken not to over cook, else the dish will turn into a paste.Once you open the pressure cooker the below given procedure can be followed. 

Once the bottle gourd is cooked add the prawns, garam masala, chilly powder & salt and let this cook on high flame. The prawns will release some amount of water, cook till there is no water left in the pan. 

Garnish with chopped coriander. Dish is ready to be served!