Lauki Kofta

Delicious deep-fried balls made of grated Indian bottlegourd mixed with chickpea flour (besan) and spices served dipped in a flavourful gravy.

Time: 30 minutes

|

Serves: 4-5

Save recipe

Ingredients

  1. Ingredients for Koftas:
  2. 3/4 cup bottle gourd (peeled & grated)
  3. 2 tablespoons finely chopped coriander
  4. 2 tablespoons finely chopped onions
  5. 1 teaspoon freshly ground ginger
  6. 1 teaspoon freshly ground green chillies
  7. 3 tablespoons besan (gram flour)
  8. 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  9. 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
  10. 1/2 teaspoon amchur powder (dried raw-mango powder)
  11. 1 teaspoon coriander powder
  12. 1/2 teaspoon red chilli powder (optional)
  13. Salt to taste
  14. Oil for deep-frying
  15. Ingredients for Gravy:
  16. 2 onions, sliced
  17. 2 large tomatoes, chopped
  18. 1 teaspoon chopped garlic
  19. 1 teaspoon chopped ginger
  20. 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
  21. 1 teaspoon coriander powder
  22. 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder
  23. 1 teaspoon red chilli powder or to taste
  24. 1 small stick of cinnamon (about 1 inch)
  25. 5-6 cloves
  26. 6-8 black cardamom seeds
  27. 2 tablespoons oil
  28. Salt to taste

Method

  1. Combine all the ingredients for koftas except oil in a large bowl. Mix well.
  2. Shape the mixture into small balls (koftas). If the mixture seems to be too wet to make the koftas, add another tablespoon (or as needed) of besan to bind the mixture.
  3. Heat oil for deep frying. Deep fry the koftas till they are golden brown. Take them out in a dish lined with kitchen towel to get rid of the excess oil.
  4. For preparing the gravy, heat 1 tablespoon oil in a deep non-stick pan. Add the sliced onions, garlic , cinnamon, cloves and black cardamom seeds. Sauté for 3-4 minutes (while stirring continuously) or till the onions turn golden brown in colour. Keep aside and let it cool.
  5. Once cooled, add the contents of the pan to a grinder. Add the tomatoes, ginger, turmeric powder, coriander powder, cumin powder, red chilli powder and salt. Grind into a smooth paste.
  6. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a deep-pan. Add the ground masala paste and keep sautéing until the moisture gets evaporated and oil starts oozing on the sides of the masala paste. Add about 11/2 cups of water or as required depending on how thick you would like the gravy. Mix well and let it boil. When it starts boiling, reduce the heat to low and cover the pan. Let the gravy simmer for 5-7 minutes. Turn off the heat and keep the gravy aside.
  7. To serve, place the koftas in a large bowl and pour warm gravy over them.
  8. Serve hot with roti or rice.

Recipe Tip:

To make healthier koftas, you can pan fry them in an appam pan. If you choose to use an appam pan, make sure you cook them on low heat while keeping the pan covered. Cooking them on high heat will brown them from outside keeping the mixture raw from inside.

 

Leave a comment:

What do you think about this recipe? Please share your comments, we can't wait to hear from you!
Log in

You may also like :