Name: Lau er kofta with baked koftas recipe by Priyanjali Joardar at BetterButter
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: For the koftas; Bottle gourd, 1 medium size, grated; Ginger paste 1/2 teaspoon; Garlic 1/2 teaspoon; Bengali garam masala 1/2 teaspoon; Green chilly 1, finally chopped; Gram flour 1/4 to 1/3 cup; Salt as per taste; For the gravy; Shah Jeera 1 teaspoon; Bay leaf; Onion, 1 small chopped; Tomato 2; Ginger 1 inch; Garlic 4-5 clove; Green chilly 2; Turmeric powder 1/4 teaspoon; Cumin powder 1/2 teaspoon; Coriander powder 1 tablespoon; Sugar a pinch; Salt as per taste; Refined oil; Coriander leaves, chopped with the stalks

ABOUT Lau er kofta with baked koftas RECIPE

A Bengali delicacy, lau er kofta is bottle guard dumplings in a spicy gravy. I have baked the koftas instead of deep frying them. I choose to bake or grill over frying in my day to day cooking because they are healthy and best alternative without comprising much on the taste of the dish. Bottle gourd is one of best summer vegetable that we have and it is a must to include them in your diet. There are so many ways we can make this otherwise bland vegetable into an absolute delight! This is one such recipe.

Ingredients Serving: 4

For the koftas
Bottle gourd, 1 medium size, grated
Ginger paste 1/2 teaspoon
Garlic 1/2 teaspoon
Bengali garam masala 1/2 teaspoon
Green chilly 1, finally chopped
Gram flour 1/4 to 1/3 cup
Salt as per taste
For the gravy
Shah Jeera 1 teaspoon
Bay leaf
Onion, 1 small chopped
Tomato 2
Ginger 1 inch
Garlic 4-5 clove
Green chilly 2
Turmeric powder 1/4 teaspoon
Cumin powder 1/2 teaspoon
Coriander powder 1 tablespoon
Sugar a pinch
Salt as per taste
Refined oil
Coriander leaves, chopped with the stalks

Instructions

Grate the bottle gourd, squeeze them as much as you can. Reserve the juice which can be used in the gravy.
Microwave the grated bottle gourd in high for 3 minutes. Allow it to cool and squeeze again if required.
To the grated bottle gourd add ginger paste, garlic paste, chilies, salt, garam masala and gram flour. Mix everything well to form koftas.
Gram flour is used for binding so add it little by little and just enough to form the koftas.
Grease a baking dish, place the koftas on the dish. Drizzle a bit of oil and bake in a preheated oven at 200 degrees for 15 minutes and grill for 10 minutes.
Meanwhile grind the tomatoes along with ginger, garlic and green chilies.
For the gravy, take a heavy bottom kadai. Temper refined oil with shah jeera and bay leaf. Add the chopped onions.
When the onions turns translucent add the ground mix, cumin powder, coriander powder, salt and sugar. Stir everything well to combine.
Saute the masala till it starts releasing oil. Add water to form the gravy.
Let the gravy simmer for 4-5 minutes, check the seasoning.
Add the koftas and let the gravy simmer for another 2-3 minutes.
Finish it by adding the garam masala and chopped coriander leaves. Turn off the flame and keep it covered for the flavors to combine before serving with rice or Roti.

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