Anapakaya Koora or Sorakaya Koora (Bottle Gourd Curry, Lauki/Doodhi ka Bhaji) – 1

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Anapakaya or Sorakaya Koora/Bottle Gourd Curry

This particular version of Anapakaya Koora is an everyday dish from my repertoire. It is very simple and easy to make, and very healthy as well.

All you diet conscious people, this one is for you. 🙂

This koora is also a great hit with the children because it is non-spicy.

Ingredients

1. Anapakaya/Bottle Gourd/Lauki – 1/2 Kg
2. Red Chillies – 2 or 3
3. Udad Dal – 1 tsp
4. Rai/Mustard Seeds – 1/2 tsp
5. Oil – 2 tsp
6. Nuvvula Podi (optional) – 2 tsp
7. Salt to Taste
8. Curry Leaves – a Few

Method – 1

1. Peel and cut the bottle gourd into 1/2″ pieces.
2. In a kadai/wok, heat 2 tsp oil.
3. Add the mustard seeds and wait till they splutter.
4. Add udad dal and fry till golden brown.
5. Add spilt red chillies and fry for 5-10 secs.
6. Add curry leaves and bottle gourd pieces.
7. Stir fry for about 5 mins.
8. Add about 1/4 cup water.
9. Cover and cook for about 10 mins while stirring occasionally.
10. Cook till the bottle gourd turns transparent.
11. Add small amounts of water, if required.
12. Add salt and mix well.
13. Add nuvvula podi and mix well.
14. Serve with rotis or as a side dish to curd rice.

Method – 2

1. Peel and cut the bottle gourd into 1/2″ pieces.
2. Boil about 1 litre of water with 1 tsp salt.
3. Add bottle gourd pieces to boiling water and cook covered for about 5 mins or till the pieces turn transparent.
4. Drain the bottle gourd pieces.
5. In a kadai/wok, heat 2 tsp oil.
6. Add the mustard seeds and wait till they splutter.
7. Add udad dal and fry till golden brown.
8. Add spilt red chillies and fry for 5-10 secs.
9. Add curry leaves and bottle gourd pieces.
10. Stir fry for about 5 mins.
11. Add a little salt, if required, and mix well.
12. Add nuvvula podi and mix well.
13. Serve with rotis or as a side dish to curd rice.

Tips

• I use Method – 2 when I am in a rush.
• Ensure that the bottle gourd pieces are not over cooked. Then the entire koora will turn mushy.
• You could also add a pinch of turmeric, if required.
• This koora is meant to be slightly bland. The nuvvula podi is added to spice it up.

I love anapakaya koora as a side-dish to curd rice! 🙂

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