Bitter Gourd Curry

Bitter gourds are good source of vitamins, minerals especially vitamin A, B1, B2, C and iron and has dietary fiber. It is low in calories and has lot of medicinal properties . It is said to be very useful in case of diabetic and also helps in treating blood disorders. It helps to improve the immune system and increases body’s resistance against infection. So do not ignore this vegetable because of its bitter taste. Now to the simple recipe – Bitter gourd curry. It tastes great with chapatti, roti and goes well as a side dish for rice. It is know as Karela in Hindi and pavakkai in tamil. Today we will learn how to make bitter gourd curry following this easy recipe with step wise pictures.

Bitter gourd Curry

They love each other

Now that Valentine’s Day is nearing, I thought of presenting all the dishes I post till Feb 14 th with the theme LOVE. This is just to add fun ….

Bitter gourd Curry-Sabzi


 Prep Time : 10 mins

Cook Time : 20 mins
Serves: 2-3
Recipe Category: Side Dish
Recipe Cuisine: South Indian

   Ingredients needed

   Bitter gourd (pavakkai) – 250 grams
   Onion – 1 cup chopped
   Tomatoes – 1 cup chopped
   Tamarind – very less (soak it in 1/3 cup of warm water)
   Salt as required

  Spice Powder

   Turmeric powder –a pinch
   Chilli powder – ½ tsp
   Coriander powder -1 tsp

   For the seasoning

   Oil – 2 ½ tbsp
   Red chillies – 3
   Asafoetida – a pinch
   Curry leaves

Preparation


Cut bitter gourd into round shapes. Remove the seeds. You can use the seeds if they are tender.

Take tamarind extract and keep it aside.

Method


Heat oil in a kadai or small pressure cooker, add mustard seeds, asafoetida, red chillies and curry leaves. When mustard splutters, add chopped onion and sauté until they turn transparent.

Then add tomatoes, chilli powder, turmeric powder, coriander powder and sauté until tomatoes become a little soft.

Add bitter gourd pieces and sauté for another 5 minutes. Add salt and diluted tamarind extract.

Close the cooker and pressure cook for 1 whistle. If you are making the curry in a kadai, cook covered stirring in between until the vegetable is soft. It will take a longer time than pressure cooker.


Once the pressure subsides, open the cooker, mix the contents well and simmer for 5 minutes. If there is water, cook until the water evaporates. I added a tsp of my vegetable curry powder to give more flavor to the curry. Garnish with coriander leaves.

Serve as an accompaniment for rice or chapati. Enjoy preparing this easy and healthy bitter gourd sabzi.

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View Comments (64)

  • What a fantastic post !! Nice recipe and amazing stuff !! Heard of this for the very first time and it is looking yummy too !!

  • Wow I'm speechless dear....For 5 good minutes i was just staring at the picture of your Bitter Gourd Curry. The curry looks very tasty. I have seen many delicious items but a combination of great recipe and best creativity is witnessed from your post.
    Thanks for dropping by my blog and leaving lovely comment.Would love to see you more often ....
    Deepa
    http://hamareerasoi.blogspot.com/

  • Oh God..I was shocked when I saw ur post..is that for real..very lovely presentation with my fav bittergroud which is definitely mouth-watering...

  • This is one vegg i hate, but that pic og the 2 corocodile bittergourd made a big smile on my face :-)

  • You are so very creative and always come up with unique presentation... the curry looks delicious...

  • A big hug for dropping by my blog and posting your comment. I was looking for a good Karela recipe and here it is :) Love the art work on the veggies

    Simi
    itsallaboutfood.wordpress.com

  • I too try to use bittergourd very often in my cooking Padma...your dish sounds absolutely delicious...will try it soon dear :)

  • Lovely post padhu,
    love the curry the way you made it..really tempting..can't stop looking at your lovely couple... (karela crocodile)....