Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Posted by Mala at 2:00:00 AM 2 comments
Bittergourd, also called "Karela" in Hindi and "Pagarkkai" in Tamil, is very bitter in taste,but is filled with essential Vitamins and antioxidants. It aids in curing respiratory problems, treats liver problems, controls blood sugar, is best in acne-scar treatment, is used in many facial products, and for a long time, it has been a part of the Indian medicine in treating Diabetes.
There is a way to remove its bitterness to an extent, but in my family, they want to eat with this bitterness. Life is, after all, a mixture of Sweetness and Bitterness, right???
If you want to remove the bitterness, smear the chopped Bittergourd with some turmeric powder, salt and curds. Leave for 15-20 minutes. . It will secrete some water, which can be squeezed and taken out.  This will surely remove the bitterness as well as the  nutrients!




Ingredients
Bittergourd - 1/2 kg (1.1Lbs), washed and chopped to fine pieces
Cooking oil - 4 tbsps
Hing powder - 1/4 tsp
Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
Mustard seeds - 1 tsp
Chiili powder - 3/4 tsp
Salt to taste

Recipe Cuisine: South Indian; Recipe Category: Dry Curry/Lunch
Prep time: 15 mts; Cooking time: 30 mts

Serves 4

In a pan, add oil, season all the ingredients mixed above, and add the chopped bittergourds.  




                            
 Add the chilli powder and salt to taste. They will shrink slowly and get evenly roasted. 


Getting roasted.If you feel it is very dry, add some more oil. We have to be really really patient, it will take quite some time to get shrunk and to get the nicely browned colour.

Mark the change in colour!!! 3/4 done.






It has to finally become like this. Dark brown in colour, fully shrunk and roasted.




Enjoy with hot rice, sambar or rasam.
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2 comments:

  1. Bittergourd was strict NO NO for me TILL NOW. But reading this recipe, I changed my stand and itching to make it soon! Thanks Mala for this unusual dish which is again filled with so much goodness.(V)

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