Bitter gourd fry | bitter melon fry | Pavakkai varuval

Bitter gourd/ Bitter melon is the one every kids hates. But when they grow up they started to eat realising it's health benefits. This recipe is my hubby's favourite. Initially, I used to do this just for him. I was not a fan of bitter gourd before this recipe. So I have never tasted it. But when I tasted it, (me the grown up kid :P) started eating regularly. And now I love bitter gourd. This recipe will not be much bitter.

This can be used both as a food and medicine. Since it lowers sugar levels in blood and urine, mostly diabetes patients alone eat this. This is not only for diabetes but also has many health benefits.

It also helps to improve eyesight, cleansing liver, repairs and nourish liver problems and builds your immune system. It is rich in iron, calcium and potassium.

Bitter gourd fry / Pavakkai varuval

Ingredients:

Bitter guard / Pavakkai - 1

Chilli Powder - 1tsp

Coriander Powder / Malli podi - 1tsp

Cumin seeds - 1/2tsp

Turmeric Powder - 1tsp

Curd - 2tblspn

Ginger garlic paste -1tbspn

Small onion / Shallots -10

Salt -as needed

Oil - 4tbspn

Coriander leaves - to garnish

Method:

Chop bitter gaurd into 1 inch pieces and wash it.

Add chilli powder, coriander powder, cumin, ginger garlic paste, turmeric, curd, salt and mix well.

Cover the bowl with a cling wrap and refrigerate it for 1 hour.

After 1 hour:

Chop onions and keep aside.

Heat oil and sauté this onion for 2mins until it becomes translucent. Transfer this to a bowl.

Again heat oil in the same pan and add the bitter gourd mixture. Keep in medium flame, stir for every 30seconds.

Sauté for 10-15mins. When it is cooked (becomes almost dark), remove from flame.

Add the sautéed onion and mix well. Garnish with coriander leaves.

Serve with rasam, variety rice.

Note: 

• Do not cook this in high flame.
• Always prepare this in low flame. At high flame it will become dark very soon and the bitter gourd will not be cooked properly. And it will be very bitter. Fry cooked in low flame will not be bitter in taste. 
• You can also marinate over night.

Pictorial:

Keep all your ingredients ready

Deseed bitter gourd and cut into 1 inch pieces

In a large bowl, take bitter gourd and add chilli powder, coriander powder, cumin powder, ginger garlic paste, curd, salt, turmeric

Combine everything together

Cover it with a cling wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour

Heat oil in a pan, add chopped onions and saute until it becomes soft

Transfer it to a bowl. If you continue sauteing it even after adding bitter gourd, the onion will burn and will not taste good

Heat oil in the same pan, add the marinated bitter gourd

Saute for every 30 seconds

When bitter gourd is cooked(will take around 15 mins), add sauteed onion

Mix them well and remove from flame

Its ready!