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A classic Bengali comfort food, this simple curry features tender bottle gourd cooked with fragrant spices and crispy lentil dumplings (bori). It’s a light, wholesome, and mildly sweet dish that pairs perfectly with steamed rice.
For 4 servings
Fry the Bori
Temper the Spices (Phoron)
Sauté Aromatics and Vegetables
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A classic Bengali comfort food, this simple curry features tender bottle gourd cooked with fragrant spices and crispy lentil dumplings (bori). It’s a light, wholesome, and mildly sweet dish that pairs perfectly with steamed rice.
This bengali recipe takes 40 minutes to prepare and yields 4 servings. At 387.45 calories per serving with 15.52g of protein, it's a beginner-friendly recipe perfect for lunch or dinner or side.
Cook the Ghonto
Finish and Garnish
For a non-vegetarian version, add 150g of small, cleaned shrimp (chingri). Sauté the shrimp after the tempering step until they turn pink, then proceed with the recipe. This variation is known as 'Chingri diye Lau Ghonto'.
For a richer, creamier texture, add 1/4 cup of milk or a tablespoon of heavy cream at the end along with the ghee. This is a popular variation called 'Doodh Lau'.
To make the dish even lighter, you can omit the potato entirely. The cooking time might be slightly shorter.
Add 2 tablespoons of roasted moong dal (bhaja muger dal) along with the bottle gourd for a nutty flavor and added texture.
Bottle gourd consists of about 92% water, making this dish an excellent way to stay hydrated, especially during warmer months. Proper hydration is key for skin health and overall bodily functions.
Rich in both soluble and insoluble fiber, bottle gourd promotes healthy digestion, prevents constipation, and supports a healthy gut microbiome. Spices like ginger and cumin further aid digestive processes.
This dish is very low in calories and fat but high in fiber, which helps you feel full and satisfied for longer. This makes it an ideal food for those looking to manage or lose weight.
Spices like turmeric contain curcumin, a powerful antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties. These compounds help protect your body from cellular damage caused by free radicals.
Lau Ghonto is a traditional Bengali vegetarian dish made with bottle gourd (lau). 'Ghonto' refers to a semi-dry, mishmash style of curry. It's typically flavored with panch phoron, ginger, and finished with ghee and fried lentil dumplings (bori).
Yes, Lau Ghonto is a very healthy dish. Bottle gourd is over 90% water, making it hydrating and extremely low in calories. It's rich in fiber, which aids digestion, and contains essential vitamins and minerals. The use of minimal oil and wholesome spices makes it a nutritious choice.
One serving of Lau Ghonto (approximately 1 cup or 165g) contains around 120-150 calories. The exact count depends on the amount of oil, ghee, and bori used.
Yes, you can make Lau Ghonto without bori. The bori adds a wonderful crunch and flavor, but the dish will still be delicious without it. If omitting, you can proceed with the recipe as is.
Store leftover Lau Ghonto in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. The bori may soften upon reheating, but the flavor will remain excellent. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.