Lemony Bottle Gourd Soup

Name: Lemony Bottle Gourd Soup
Cuisine: Indian
Ingredients: 1/2 small bottle gourd, roughly chopped; 1 onion, sliced; 1 tsp ginger garlic paste; 2 tbsp oil; 2 bay leaves; to taste salt; 1/2 tsp pepper powder or to taste; 1/2 tsp turmeric powder; 1/2 tsp. red chili powder; 1 tsp roasted coriander-cumin powder; 1/2 tsp garam masala powder; 8-10 kaffir lime leaves; coriander leaves & chili flakes to garnish (opt)

Bethica Das @kitchen_flavours

Sharjah (UAE)

#SoupSalad - Bottle Gourd or Lauki has a lot of health benefits. But it is detested and not liked by many. But it can be dished out in a delicious way and in any form. So why not a soup? So, here is my variation of a curried and Lemony Bottlegourd soup which is just awesome.

I added some kaffir lime leaves to give a refreshing flavour. Serve this soup along with some croutons or bread sticks for a satisfying, filling and a healthy meal. Pressure cook it to save time and voila!! you have a one-pot light meal right in front of you.

Bethica Das @kitchen_flavours

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Ingredients

1/2small bottle gourd, roughly chopped
1onion, sliced
1 tspginger garlic paste
2 tbspoil
2bay leaves
to tastesalt
1/2 tsppepper powder or to taste
1/2 tspturmeric powder
1/2 tsp.red chili powder
1 tsproasted coriander-cumin powder
1/2 tspgaram masala powder
8-10kaffir lime leaves
coriander leaves & chili flakes to garnish (opt)

Saved

Steps

1

Heat oil in a pan and saute the bay leaves for a few seconds. Add the onions and fry till light brown.
2

Add the ginger-garlic paste and all the dry spices mixed with 1/4 cup water. Saute till oil separates.
3

Add the bottle gourd and the kaffir lime leaves. Combine well and pressure cook in 2 1/2 cups water for 3-4 whistles.
4

When cool, discard the bay leaves and lime leaves. Preserve few bottlegourd pieces to garnish.
5

Puree the same and heat through. Serve, garnished with the bottlegourd pieces, coriander leaves and chili flakes.