The mere mention of bitter gourd/karela preparations for food and you are bound to make quite a few faces frown. The vegetable is disliked by many for its highly bitter taste. Nevertheless, it is packed with nutritionally important minerals such as calcium, phosphorous, iron, copper, potassium and vitamins A, B1, B2, and C. That is why, people have devised ways to debitter it and include it in the diet. Relishing the vegetable is a matter of acquired taste but if you are trying it out for the first time fear not for the vegetable is indeed good and worth the try.
Follow this simple recipe of arriving at yummy, spicy karela masala that your loved ones will surely love to eat.
Ingredients:
Bitter gourd/ karela – 5-6 nos. small-sized
Onions (finely sliced) – 2 medium-sized
Red chilly powder – 1 tbsp
Dhaniya(coriander seed) powder – 2 tsp
Turmeric powder – 1 tsp
Garam masala powder – 2 tsp
Aamchur powder – 1 tbsp
Garlic clove (finely chopped) – 1 nos.
Ginger juliennes – 1 tsp
Jaggery – 1 tsp
Salt to taste
Oil – 2 tbsp
Method:
1.) Wash the gourds. Scrape them lightly. Slit and remove the seeds. Apply salt and stand them for 2-3 hours. Wash again and parboil the gourds. Drain and keep aside.
2.) Heat a pan on medium heat and add oil to it. When the oil turns hot, add in the garlic and ginger. Fry until they are lightly brown.
3.) Stir in the onions and fry until they turn pink.
4.) Add in all the dry powders, jaggery and salt. Mix well.
5.) Now add the bitter gourd slices. Mix well and cook until they turn tender.
6.) Serve hot with rotis.
