Cooking from scratch (Lau er Khosha bata or Bottle gourd skin peel chutney)

We have heard about various recipes made out of scratch, This is one of them. It is made out of bottle gourd skin. Though this is nothing extraordinary, it is very close to my heart.


                                      

Lower Assam people are very fond of their 'Batas' or chutneys. They can almost create batas out of anything available. My mother is one of them. In fact, she is the one who introduced me to this recipe. Now, without wasting a further moment, let's dig into this recipe.

           Ingredients:

•     Skin of 4 Bottle Gourd
•     Green Chillies  - As per taste (I added 4 in the paste and 2 whole while cooking)
•     Green Bell pepper- 1 whole
•     Mustard Oil or any other oil of your choice -        4 Tbsp
•     Nigella seeds ( Kalaunji or Kalo Jeere)-                1/2 tsp
•     Garlic Paste- 2 tbsp
•     Red Chilli Powder- 1 Tsp (Or as per taste)
•     Turmeric Powder - 1 Tsp
•     Salt- As per taste
•     Sugar 1/2 Tsp

     Method:

.

1. Peel of the Bottle Gourd.
2. Now make a paste using the Bottle Gourd skin peel, green chillies and bell pepper.
   
3. Now heat the mustard oil till smoking point.
4. Add the Nigella seeds and let it splutter.
   
5. Add the garlic paste, turmeric and chilli powder and saute till the raw smell of garlic disappears.
6. Now add the green paste and add the salt and sugar. also add the whole green chillies.
   
7. Now cook the paste till the water evaporates and the paste turns into dark green colour.
   
8. Now serve the 'Bata' with hot steamed rice.
   

Hope you enjoy this simple recipe.