Introduction

Lauki Chila is a delicious and nutritious breakfast made with grated bottle gourd (lauki), soaked rice, and boiled potatoes. The batter creates crispy pancakes with a soft interior, flavored with a tempering of mustard seeds, curry leaves, and hing. Served with a tangy peanut chutney, this dish is a perfect combination of texture and taste, offering a healthy and quick start to your day.

Recipe Details

• Portion: Serves 4
• Preparation Time: 20 minutes
• Cooking Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients of Lauki Chila

• 1 cup grated lauki (bottle gourd)
• 1/2 cup soaked rice
• 1 boiled potato, mashed
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup yogurt
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
• 1/4 tsp red chili powder
• 2 tbsp oil for cooking
• For Tadka: 1/2 tsp mustard seeds, 1/4 tsp urad dal, 1/4 tsp chana dal, 1/4 tsp hing, 5-6 curry leaves

Instructions of Lauki Chila

Follow these step-by-step instructions to prepare your delicious Lauki Chila with Tadka Dahi Chutney.

 

Step 1: Prepare the Batter

Grate and Blend: Grate the lauki and squeeze out excess water. Blend soaked rice with boiled potatoes into a smooth paste.

Mix Ingredients: Combine the grated lauki, rice paste, chopped onions, yogurt, salt, turmeric powder, and red chili powder in a bowl. Mix well to form a thick batter.

 

Step 2: Add Tadka to the Batter

Prepare Tadka: Heat oil in a small pan. Add mustard seeds, urad dal, chana dal, hing, and curry leaves. Let them splutter.

Incorporate Tadka: Pour the tadka into the batter and mix gently.

 

 

Step 3: Cook the Lauki Chila

Heat Pan: Heat a non-stick pan and lightly grease it with oil.

Spread Batter: Pour a ladleful of batter onto the pan and spread it into a circular shape. Cook on medium heat.

Flip and Cook: Flip the chila once the edges start to lift and cook the other side until golden brown.

 

Step 4: Prepare the Tadka Dahi Chutney

Blend Ingredients: Blend roasted peanuts, garlic, red chilies, tamarind, and salt into a smooth paste.

Add Tadka: Heat oil and prepare tadka with mustard seeds and curry leaves. Pour it over the chutney.

 

Step 5: Serve

Plate the Chila: Serve the hot Lauki Chila on a plate.

Add Chutney: Serve with the prepared Tadka Dahi Chutney on the side.

 

About the Recipe

Lauki Chila is a delicious and creative way to use bottle gourd in your meals. This dish combines the goodness of lauki with the richness of rice and potatoes to create crispy pancakes that are soft inside.

The batter is prepared with grated lauki, finely chopped onions, and a blend of soaked rice and boiled potatoes. The mix is seasoned with simple spices and made even better with a dollop of yogurt and a pinch of baking soda to give it a slight tang and a fluffy texture.

To make it even more special, a flavorful tadka is added to the batter. This tadka includes mustard seeds, curry leaves, urad dal, chana dal, and a hint of hing, which adds a crunch and aroma that elevate the dish.

Cooking Tips

• Use a fine grater to grate the lauki. This ensures it mixes well in the batter and cooks evenly.
• Squeeze out the water from the grated lauki and onion but save it. This water is nutrient-rich and can be used to adjust the batter consistency.
• Soak the rice for at least an hour before blending it with boiled potatoes for a smooth batter.
• Cook the pancakes on low to medium heat for a crispy outside and soft inside.

Pairing Guide

Lauki Chila tastes amazing with Tadka Dahi Chutney. The chutney, made with peanuts, garlic, red chilies, tamarind, and spices, adds a tangy and nutty flavor to the chila.

You can also pair it with mint chutney or plain yogurt. A hot cup of masala chai or a refreshing glass of buttermilk goes perfectly with this dish for a wholesome breakfast experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Lauki Chila?

Lauki Chila is a pancake-like dish made with grated lauki, rice, boiled potatoes, and spices. It is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.

2. Can I skip using yogurt in the recipe?

Yogurt adds a slight tang and helps the batter ferment. You can skip it, but the texture might change slightly.

3. How do I make the batter perfect?

Ensure the batter is thick but smooth. Use the water squeezed out from the lauki and onions to adjust the consistency.

4. Can I store the batter for later use?

It is best to use the batter fresh. However, you can refrigerate it for a day if needed.

5. What other vegetables can I use?

You can experiment with grated zucchini or carrots for a variation of this recipe.

6. What kind of rice should I use?

Regular short-grain rice works well for this recipe. Avoid using sticky or fragrant rice.

7. How do I make the Tadka Dahi Chutney?

The chutney is made by blending roasted peanuts, garlic, red chilies, tamarind, and spices. Add a tadka of mustard seeds and curry leaves for extra flavor.

8. Can I make this recipe vegan?

Yes, you can skip the yogurt or use a plant-based alternative to make this recipe vegan.

9. What is the best way to serve Lauki Chila?

Serve it hot with chutney or plain yogurt. Add a tadka of mustard seeds and curry leaves on top for extra flavor.

10. Is Lauki Chila healthy?

Yes, it is a nutritious dish with the goodness of lauki, rice, and yogurt. It is low in fat and high in fiber, making it a healthy choice.