Bitter Gourd Curry

Most  people do not like bitter gourd because of its bittery taste. But it is one of my favourite veggies. Be it curry, chips or fry anything made out of bitter gourd, you name it, I love it. Bitter gourd is also good for the diabetics. Here I have shared a tangy,sweet and bittery curry which I learnt from my mum-in-law. It tastes much better a day after its preparation. 

Ingredients

Bitter gourd - 2 (cut into roundels)

Shallots - 10

Garlic - 10

Tomato - 2 medium (chopped)

Curry leaves - 10

Tamarind juice - 5 Tablespoons (thick)

Mustard seeds - 1/4 Tablespoon

Fenugreek seeds - 1/4 Tablespoon

Cumin seeds - 1/4 Tablespoon

Pepper corns - 5

Asafoetida - a inch

Red chilli - 2

Red chili powder - 1/4 Tablespoon

Coriander powder - 1 Tablespoon

Sambar powder - 1 1/2 Tablespoon

Turmeric powder - 1/4 Tablespoon

Oil - 2 Tablespoons

Salt - to taste

Jaggery - 1 1/2 tablespoon (grated)

Fresh coriander leaves - to garnish

Water - 1 cup

Method

1. Heat 1/2 a tablespoon of oil in a pan and fry the bitter gourd for 7 minutes, so that the bitterness of the gourd is reduced to a certain extent. 

2. Heat oil in a pan and add the mustard, cumin, fenugreek, pepper corns, red chillies and curry leaves.Fry them for a minute.

3. Now add the shallots and sauté for 3 minutes and add the garlic. Cook until the shallots become translucent and the raw smell of the garlic go away. 

4. Now add the tomatoes,salt,chilli powder,coriander powder,turmeric powder and sambar powder with a splash of water and cook for 3 minutes until the raw smell of the masalas go away.

5. Add the bitter gourd along with water and tamarind juice and cover the pan with a lid. Lower the heat to medium and cook for the next 10-15 minutes.

6. Add the jaggery, give a quick stir and turn off the heat.Garnish with fresh coriander leaves.

          Tangy bitter gourd  curry is ready ! Serve it with rice and papad.

Note 

* If you feel that the masalas are too much for your  palate, you can reduce them.

* Serving it after 1 or 2 hours of preparation will have better taste.

* Ordinary white sugar can also be added if jaggery is unavailable.