Name: Bengali Lauki Shorba
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: Indian
Ingredients: 1½ cup Bottle Gourd, Lauki, finely cubed; ½ tbsp Mustard Oil, for a distinct authentic flavor; ½ tsp Panch Phoran, bengali five-spice blend; ½ inch Ginger, finely grated; 1 Green Chili Pepper, slit; ⅛ tsp Ground Turmeric, just a pinch for a pale yellow tint; 2 cup Water, for the clear broth; ½ tsp Salt, to taste; 1 tbsp Coriander Leaves, chopped

30 mintotal

Prep 10 min · Cook 20 min

Serves: 2
Difficulty: Easy
Spice: Mild

Add to your week

Ingredients

1½ cupBottle GourdLauki, finely cubed
½ tbspMustard Oilfor a distinct authentic flavor
½ tspPanch Phoranbengali five-spice blend
½ inchGingerfinely grated
1Green Chili Pepperslit
⅛ tspGround Turmericjust a pinch for a pale yellow tint
2 cupWaterfor the clear broth
½ tspSaltto taste
1 tbspCoriander Leaveschopped

Quantities are for 2 servings.

You'll need: Stovetop.

Method

Heat the mustard oil in a pot until it smokes lightly. Reduce the flame and let it cool for a few seconds to remove the raw pungency.
Add the Panch Phoran (five-spice mix) and let it crackle. Add the grated ginger and slit green chillies, sautéing for 10 seconds.
10 sec
Add the cubed bottle gourd (lauki) and turmeric powder. Toss well in the spiced oil and fry on medium heat for 3-4 minutes.
3–4 min
Pour in the measured water and add salt. Bring it to a boil.
Cover the pot and let the soup simmer on medium-low heat for 12-15 minutes until the lauki is completely tender and translucent, but still holds its shape.
12–15 min
Lightly mash a few cubes of lauki against the side of the pot with your ladle to give the broth a very slight body.
Turn off the heat, stir in the fresh coriander, and serve.

How to tell it's done

A highly watery, clear pale-yellow broth featuring soft, transparent cubes of gourd with the distinct smell of roasted mustard and fennel.

Getting it right

Tip

Lauki naturally releases water, making it perfect for light clear soups. Panch Phoran provides a complex aromatic profile without needing heavy masalas.

What to serve it with

An incredibly hydrating and cooling daily soup. Excellent as a light starter or paired with plain rice and a wedge of lemon.

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