Things required to cook Mouri Potol (Pointed Gourd with
Fennel Seed)
Potol / Pointed Gourd – 500 Grams
White Curd – 2 tbsp (If you need thick gravy, add one more
table spoon)
Fennel Seed – 1.5 tbsp (You can grind the roasted fennel
seed)
Ginger + Chili Paste – 1.5 tbsp (You can add more chili to
the paste according to your taste)
Dry Red Chili – 2
Cardamom + Cinnamon + Bay Leaf + Cloves – 3 (Crushed) + 2 (Small
Size)+1 (Big Size)+2
Shah Jeera (Black Cumin)- 1.5 tsp
Turmeric Powder + Red Chili Powder – 1 tsp +1 tsp
Salt and Sugar as per taste
Oil
Water
How to cook Mouri Potol
1. The very first job is making a smooth powder of fennel seed.
Roast the fennel seeds in hot frying pan. Then keep it aside for cooling down.
After that, grind the roasted seed in mixer grinder. But don’t use water. If
you wish, you can make this powder in large amount for future use. If you add water,
you can’t use it in future.
I make this dish very frequently, almost on every Thursday. So
I kept the powder in an air-tight bottle.
2. Now we have to make the paste by mixing fennel seed powder,
ginger, chili and little water. This time you can add more chili as per your
requirement. Keep it aside.
3. Add sugar and salt to the white curd. Check if there is any
lump in the curd. Add little water to the curd and beat well with little water.
4. Peel the skin of the Pointed Gourd. Sprinkle little
turmeric powder, red chili powder and salt on them. Heat oil in a deep-bottom frying
pan. Fry those pointed gourd till golden. Take them out of the pan and set
aside.
5. Now we have to fry whole spices. Check if more oil required
on the pan. Add whole spices i.e. red chili, bay leaf, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves
and at last Shah Jeera. Wait till it leaves a nice aroma. Now add the paste
that you made with fennel, ginger and chili. Keep stirring for 2-3 minutes.
6. Reduce the heat, because now you are going to add the curd. Now
add the curd. And don’t forget to stir continuously. Otherwise it would create
lump. Do you notice oil separating from the curd? That means the curd is almost
done.
7. Now add other spice powders i.e. turmeric powder, red chili
powder. Add fried pointed gourd and mix well. Pour water as per your gravy
requirement. After 1 minute, you must see the gravy boils. Add salt and sugar.
Let it be boiled for 1 minute. Adjust the seasoning. Reduce the flame and cover
the pan with a lid. Cook for next 5-7 minutes.
8. You can serve it with hot steamed rice.
