Recipe of the week: Bottle gourd and spinach soup

Ingredients
2 cups shredded spinach (1 bunch)
1/4 cup peeled and grated bottle gourd
2 garlic pods
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
1 /2 tsp chilli flakes
2 cups water
Preparation
Wash spinach well and place in a large saucepan along with garlic and bottle gourd.
Season with salt.
Boil covered, on high, till soft. (3- 4 minutes after boiling).
Switch off the flame and empty into a colander.
Pour cold water over it. Let it cool.
Blend in a mixie till smooth.
Return to the saucepan, add in water, mix well and boil for 7 minutes.
Season with remaining salt and pepper.
Stir continuously.
Bring to a final boil. Sprinkle some red chilli flakes.
Switch off the flame and serve hot.