Lau Chingri - Shrimp with bottle gourd

Bottle gourd is a very useful vegetable and has so many benefits. It keeps your body cool and helps in better digestion.
This is a very simple preparation of bottle gourd with a subtle flavor of shrimp that makes it more palatable. Very simple in flavor and soothing in taste.

Ingredients:

• Shrimp(small ones)      - 300 grams
• Bottle gourd(Lau)         - 1 medium sized(around 500 grams)
• Green chilli                     - 4-5, chopped
• Ginger                              - 1/2 inch, grated
• Coriander leaves            - 2 Tbsp, chopped
• Dry red chilli                  - 2
• Cumin (Jeera)                -  1 tsp
• Bay leaf                            - 1
• Cumin powder               - 1 tsp
• Turmeric powder          - 1 tsp
• Mustard oil                     - 1 Tbsp
• Salt                                   - to taste

Method:
1. peel the bottle gourd and cut into small thin pieces.
2. Mix shrimps with a little turmeric powder and salt.
3. Heat half the oil in a pan. When hot add the shrimps and fry them till little brownish.

4. Remove shrimps from pan and keep aside.

5. In the same pan add the remaining oil.
6. When hot temper with cumin seeds, bay leaf and red chilli.
7. Add the grated ginger and saute for 30 seconds.
8. Add the chopped bottle gourd and green chilli.

9. Add salt and turmeric powder, mix well. Cover and cook till bottle gourd is cooked. Give a few good stirs in between. If there is excess water put the heat to high and cook uncovered till no more watery.
10. When bottle gourd is cooked add fried shrimps and chopped coriander and mix well. 
11. Sprinkle a little water and cover and cook for another 5 minutes.

12. Remove from pan and serve hot with rice.