Bottle Gourd Idli ( Lauki Idli )

I had been waiting for long to prepare this. I tried Veg Idli a few days back and it turned out to be the best Idli I had ever had before that. I love Lauki and am always keen to use it in more than just the usual sabzi and Halwa. ( Wat !!!! Haven’t you ever tried Lauki Halwa ???… Its one of the best in its category.. Do try .. )…

Bottle Gourd is one of the most easily digestible vegetable and carry enormous health benefits. It is specially advisable for diabetic patients. I am a follower of Baba Ramdev Diet plan and according to him this is the best veggie available in Indian market. Can be eaten all year and really cheap in comparison to others. Plus, can be cooked in various ways..

Anyways, so this time I thought of trying this wonderfully nutritious vegetable in idli. The method is simple and usual, but results are delicious. Even I couldn’t make out the presence of Bottle guard in it. I also added Oats into it for a proper meal quality… 🙂

Ingredients:
1. 2 cups Idli Rava ( I used the medium course variety of Semolina )
2. 2 cups Beaten curd
3. 1 tsp Baking soda  ( Or Eno Salt )
4. 1 tsp Salt
5. 1 cup chopped Cilantro
6. 1 tsp mustard oil ( optional )
7. few curry leaves.
8. 1/2 cup water ( Or less required )
9. 1 cup grated Lauki
10. 1 tsp black pepper
11. 1 cup Rolled Oats

Method:
1. Mix curd and Rava together and stir well , no lumps should be formed. Meanwhile roast the oats and grind it in a grinder.
2. Add salt, grated bottle guard, Oats, cilantro and black pepper. Keep aside for 20 minutes
3. Heat mustard oil in a pan and fry curry leaves into it. I just do it to enhance the flavour of idlis and also I love the aroma of mustard oil. If you are preparing the Idlis for eating along with Sambar, there isno need to add Mustard oil in it.
4. Add these fried curry leaves and baking soda to the Idli batter and keep aside.
5. Grease the idli mould and pour in the batter carefully
6. Steam the idlis for 20 minutes. 5 minutes on high flame and then 15 min on low flame. Keep the idlis in the mould for 5 further minutes to let them cool off.
7. Remove from the mould and have them with Chutney of your choice.

Roasting Oats

Idli Batter

Notes:
1. Dont think these Idlis are not sweet because of Lauki. They are as normal in taste as usual idlis are.
2. You can also add green chillies into it. I didnt do that as I wanted the taste of Bottle gourd truly..

Reposting to Krithi’s Serve It- Steamed Event