LAUKI KA SPECIAL RAITA(BOTTLE GOURD RAITA))

 

INGREDIENTS:

1. 1 Bottlegourd (lauki)
2. 1 tsp. banarasi rai (it's special spice but if not available,you can use mustard seeds too)
3. 2 whole red chillies broken into small pieces
4. 2 tsp mustardoil for seasoning
5. salt
6. Yogurt or curd 2 cups (thick and beaten)
7. Roasted cumin powder

PROCEDURE:

1. Grate lauki and heat mustard oil in a pan,when hot,add banarasi rai and broken red chill.
2. Stir for a moment,rai will splutter,add grated lauki(bottle gourd) and cover and cook till lauki is soft and brownish.It should be completely dry.
3. Let it cool ,then mix in thick beaten yogurt or curd adding salt and roasted cumin powder.

This raita was my mom's special and definitely it tastes outstanding.Try it out and find yourself!

P.S.Banarasi rai is not available in Indian grocery stores,I buy it from India and it lasts for years as seldom it is needed but it's worth keeping it for certain kind of dishes,it's a peculiar spice of eastern U.P. cuisine.

 

Note: I recently dressed with a beetroot juice dressing and it tasted as well as it looked awesome! Just add some squeezed beetroot juice mixed with salt, black salt and red chili powder and decorate in whatever way you like.