Lau Chingri (Lauki or Bottle Gourd with Prawns)

Cooking fish with vegetables was a new concept to me. It was my marriage to a Bengali that opened a new look to cooking. Fish with vegetables. There are many varieties of fish that are cooked with different vegetables "Lau Chingri" or Lauki with prawns is a delicacy. Each home or family has its own recipes.

This is the way I cook it. Hope the Bengalis enjoy and appreciate.

Ingredients:

• 1 lauki about 400 gms.
• 100 gms prawns preferable small variety.
• 1 big potato cubed. 
• 1 tsp jeera.
• 1/2 tsp kalonji.
• 1/2 tsp methi seeds.
• 2 dry red chillies broken to pieces.
• 1/2 ginger grated.
• 1 tsp roasted jeera powder.
• 1 tsp coriander powder.
• 1/2tsp haldi.
• 1/2 tsp red chilli powder.
• 1/2 tsp sugar.
• 2 tbsp mustard oil.
• 1 tsp pure ghee.
• 1 tsp lime juice .

Method :

• Cut the lauki and potatoes into  cubes.
• Apply haldi to the prawns and keep aside.
• Heat oil and fry the potatoes and prawns separately keep aside.
• In the same oil add the red dry chillies, jeera,  kalonji and methi seeds.
• Add the lauki and stir fry then add the potatoes.
• Now add the powdered masalas, salt and sugar, let it cook on steam.
• Keep a plate on the vessel and pour some water on the plate.
• When the vegetables cook add the prawns stir fry for a minute.
• Put ghee and a little lime juice.