Amsooli Dudhi (Bottle gourd with Amsool or Kokum)

Doodhi or bottle gourd is a very nutritious and healthy vegetable. We are trying to incorporate more of this vegetable in our diet every day. It aids in weight loss and helps with sleep problems and reduces inflammation. It has lots of essential vitamins and minerals. Ayurveda highly recommends eating doodhi or bottle gourd as a part of every day meal.

Since my little one gets bored with the same style of doodhi bhaji, I was trying something new and ended up adding the flavor of amsool or kokum and it turned out really yummy. change. Everyone polished off this 'chatpatit' bhaji with poli in no time :)

Sharing the recipe here:

Ingredients: Dudhi or Doodhi or Bottle gourd - 1 medium chopped into pieces, moong dal - 1/4th cup (soaked for at least an hour), green chillies - chopped, curry leaves - 6-7, Kokum or Amsool - 3-4 pieces, Oil - 5-6 tsp, cilantro - for garnish, freshly grated coconut - 3 tbsp, tempering: mustard seeds-  1 tsp, cumin seeds - 1 tsp, asofoetida - 1/2 tsp, Turmeric powder - 1 tsp, red chilly powder - 1 tsp (per taste), goda masala or garam masala - 1 tsp, kitchen king masala - 1 tsp, salt to taste, sugar 1-2 tsp 

Method: Wash and chop the bottle gourd into small pieces and add soaked moong dal at the bottom of the container and cook in microwave or pressure cooker or instapot till soft. I also do not remove the skin if the bottle gourd is really fresh. It adds nutritive value. Once cooked, take a pan, add oil and once hot, add the tempering ingredients along with chopped green chillies and curry leaves and kokum/amsool. Add the cooked doodhi or bottle gourd with dal to the pan. Stir for 2-3 minutes. Add the goda/garam masala and kitchen king masala. Stir everything and add the grated coconut and cilantro. Mix and serve with Roti or rice. Enjoy this simple, healthy and flavorful bhaji. I hope you enjoy it as much as my little one.
Till my next post, take care everyone!