Potol & Shrimp Malai Curry

One of our favourite, go-to recipes featuring potol ( pointed gourd) cooked with shrimps and dipped in a spicy rich coconut gravy. One of the most underrated vegetables, but when it's cooked right it is extremely delicious.

Ingredients

Cooking Oil / রান্নার তেল 1/4 cup

Potol / Pointed Gourd 7 pcs

Shrimp / চিংড়ি 7 pcs

Onion sliced / পেঁয়াজ কাটা 1/2 cup

Red chilli powder / লাল মরিচ গুঁড়া 1/2 tsp

Turmeric powder / হলুদ গুঁড়া 1/2 tsp

Coriander powder / ধনে গুঁড়া 1/2 tsp

Ginger paste / আদা পেস্ট 1/2 tsp

Garlic paste / রসুনের পেস্ট 1/2 tsp

Salt to taste / স্বাদ অনুযায়ী লবণ

Coconut milk / নারিকেলের দুধ 1 cup

Shredded coconut / নারিকেল 1/4 cup

Green chilli / কাঁচা মরিচ 6 pcs

Roasted cumin powder /রোস্ট জিরা গুঁড়া 1 tsp

Coriander leaves / ধনে পাতা to garnish

Directions

Wash, peel and score potol (gourd) into small pieces. Set aside in a bowl.
Marinate the gourd pieces with a pinch of turmeric powder, red chilli powder and salt as per taste. Coat all sides equally. Heat oil in a pan and fry the gourd pieces until it's slightly colored, 2-3 minutes. Remove and set aside.
Wash, peel and devein shrimps.
Marinate the shrimp with a pinch of turmeric powder, red chilli powder and salt as per taste. Coat all sides equally. In the same pan, add some oil and fry them for 2-3 minutes. Remove and set aside.
In the same pan, add 1/4 cup cooking oil and sliced onions. Saute until they onions are translucent.
Add ginger paste, garlic paste, red chilli powder, turmeric powder, coriander powder and saute the spices together. Stir continuously, add little water during sauteing to deglaze the pan.
Once the oil separates and surfaces to the top, add salt to taste. Add ground coconut, stir and mix everything together. Add gourd pieces and continue to cook for 5 minutes. Continuously stir to prevent burning at the bottom of the pan, you can add some water to deglaze the pan.
Add coconut milk, stir and mix everything together. Close lid and cook for 5 mins over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
Add shrimp pieces, green chilli, roasted cumin powder and cook for another 5 mins.
Garnish with coriander leaves before removing from heat.