Lauki (Dudhi) Dahi (Yogurt)

PREP TIME

10 mins

COOK TIME

20 mins

TOTAL TIME

30 mins

Serves 4 people

INGREDIENTS

• 2 small ghiyas/laukis (bottle gourd) cut into cubes (can be substituted with 3 large zucchinis)
• 2 cups of yogurt (whisked)
• 1 tablespoon crushed garlic or paste
• 1 teaspoon coriander powder
• 1 teaspoon kitchen king masala
• 1 teaspoon red chilli powder
• ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon bhuna jeera (roasted cumin powder)
• 1 tablespoon kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves)
• 1 tablespoon oil (I use avocado oil)
• ½ cup water
• 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
• For the tadka
• 1 tablespoon ghee (clarified butter)
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 15-20 curry leaves
• 2 whole dried red chillies
• 2 slit green chillies

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a pan heat 1 tbsp of oil, add crushed garlic and saute for 30 seconds or until the garlic starts to turn light golden in color.
2. Lower the flame and add the spices, coriander powder, turmeric, kitchen king masala, red chilli powder and salt. Also add ¼ cup water and saute the masala for 10-15 seconds. Add more water if you need to, make sure the masalas don't burn.
3. Add the lauki and mix well, fry on high flame for 2-3 minutes. Then add ¼ cup water and put on a lid and cook the lauki for 10 minutes or until soft. You want to be able to cut through a piece but the lauki should not be mushy.
4. Once done, bring up the flame to high and add bhuna jeera and kasuri methi and fry until most of the water evaporates, a little is fine but lauki should not be too watery.
5. Once done remove the pan from the stovetop or switch off the flame and add the whisked yogurt, gently mix.
6. Now prepare the tadka in a small pan, heat 1 tbsp of ghee, add cumin seeds, once they start to change color add curry leaves and red and green chillies. Give it a few seconds, lastly add kashmiri mirch powder for color and then quickly pour the tadka over dahi lauki. Mix gently and serve with rice or roti! (if you need to heat up the dahi lauki do it on a very low flame or else the yogurt will curdle).
7. Serve with plain white rice or roti. Enjoy!