Innovation with gourd- Health Book: Day 121

When it comes to eating healthy, there are several items that you would never enjoy or find exciting. Bottle gourd is one of the biggest examples in the family of the "most hated vegetables". Lets make healthy eating a part of or daily lives while keeping it interesting at the same time.  Sharing a very easy, healthy recipe which is yummy and unlike the usual boring regular gourd.

I call it Panlo (abbreviation of paneer and loki)- Adding new dimensions of creativity to dishes and the names :-)

Serves-4-5 people

Ingredients-

1/2 kg bottle gourd, 
4-5 medium sized potatoes
200 gms paneer 
2 big size onions
3-4 medium size ripe tomatoes

Turmeric powder, coriander powder- 1 & a half tea spoon
Sesame seeds (jeera), 
Sunflower/refined oil- 2 table spoons

Method- 

1. Peel and chop bottle gourd and potatoes. Dice in any shape you want to. Pressure cook for 7-8 minutes with turmeric and salt. Avoid pressure cooking for a longer duration, as bottle gourd gets pulpy and sloppy only to spoil the dish.

2. While the content boils in pressure cooker, fine chop tomatoes and onions. Mash paneer/cheese and keep aside.

3. Heat oil in a heavy bottomed deep pan and bring sesame seeds to crackle.                                                                 
 4. Add chopped onions and sauté till light brown. Add tomatoes and coriander powder. 

5. Keep stirring till tomatoes turn pulpy and start releasing water. Add mashed cheese and salt. Add pressure-cooked gourd and potatoes to the mixture in the pan. Stir the content well. Add water if you like it with gravy. 


The entire process barely takes 15-20 minutes to cook. A yummy healthy dish is ready to be served hot with roti.

Gourd is extremely beneficial for stomach, especially during summers. Cleanses digestive system and keeps it cool at the same time. Cheese adds protein, making this dish perfectly balanced. Relish the dish and stay healthy, stay blessed.