Pavakai puli kulambu / bitter gourd tamarind curry

Pavakai puli kulambu / bitter gourd tamarind curry

( bitter melon / kaipakka / kakarakaya / hagalakayi / karela )

Ingredients - Pavakai puli kulambu / bitter gourd tamarind curry

Bitter gourd - 1

Onion - 1/4 cup

Garlic - 1/4 cup

Ground tomato - 1

Tamarind - amla size

Asafoetida - pinch

Turmeric pdr - pinch

Chilli pdr - 1 tsp

Coriander pdr - 1 1/2 tsp

Fenugreek pdr ( venthayam ) - 1/2 tsp

Fennel seed pdr - 1/2 tsp

Jaggery - small cube

Mustard seed - 3/4 tsp

Urad dal - 1/2 tsp

Method - Pavakai puli kulambu / bitter gourd tamarind curry

1. Cut bitter melons to thin round pieces. Remove seeds from bitter melon pieces. 

2. Grind a tomato and set this tomato puree aside.

3. Heat 2 tbsp of oil and fry bitter gourd pieces on low flame. It should be cooked 75% in oil . Set aside.

4. Heat 2 tsp of oil, crackle mustard seed, uarad dal. Saute curry leaves, garlic, onion, asafoetida. Then add all spice powders, add tomato puree. Saute this ingredients for 2 minutes, then add tamarind water and required water for cooking. Let it boil till onion, garlics cooked well.
5. Add salt, jaggery, fried bitter gourd and again let it boil for 4 to 6 minutes on high flame ( not more than, because bitter gourd leaves bitter taste with kuzhambu ). Tur off the stove, garnish bitter melon curry / pavakai puli kulambu with coriander leaves.