Bitter Gourd Masala Curry

Ingredients

• • Bitter gourd - ½ kg
• • Tomatoes - 2
• • Onion (big) - 1
• • Sour curd - ¼ cup
• • Turmeric powder - ¼ teaspoon
• • Mustard seeds - ½ teaspoon
• • Garam masala powder - ½ teaspoon
• • Chilly powder - 1 teaspoon
• • Ginger - 1 inch piece
• • Coconut - ¼ cup
• • Sugar - 2 teaspoons
• • Oil - 2 tablespoons
• • Salt - as required
• • Curry leaves - 1 sprig

Method

• 1. Cut onions, mince ginger, chop tomatoes and keep aside.
• 2. Cut bitter gourd into small round pieces, apply salt to the pieces and keep for half an hour.
• 3. Grind coconut alone separately.
• 4. Heat oil in a pan tamper mustard seeds and broken red chillies, then add onions and fry till transparent.
• 5. Add ginger and chopped tomatoes, continue to fry till it turns pulpy.
• 6. Drain water if any, from the bitter gourd and fry constantly stirring for few minutes.
• 7. Add turmeric powder, chilly powder and beaten curds.
• 8. When the gourd changes its colour add sugar, salt and enough water to cover the pieces.
• 9. Close with a lid reduce flame and cook till the gourd becomes soft, when the gravy is thick add ground mixture of coconut, boil for one minute, remove from fire.
• 10. Garnish with curry leaves and serve hot.

Variations

• • Tamarind extract can be substituted in place of curds, add jaggery instead of sugar.

Note

• • To remove bitterness from gourd soak the pieces for few minutes in rice washed water (Water in which rice is washed) and follow the procedure.