Bittergourd Gojju

Ingredients

4 medium sized Bittergourds
sesame seeds - 2 heaped tsps
Channa Dhal - 2 heaped Tsps
Urad Dhal - 2 heaped Tsps
Methi seeds - 1/4 tsp
Red Chillies - 9 or 10 (according to taste)
Coconut - 3 handfuls (1 cup)
Tamarind - 1 big lemon size ball or 1 tsp tamarind paste
Mustard seeds - 1tsp
Jaggery or Brown Sugar - 2 tbsp
Hing - 1 big pinch
Haldi - 1/4 tsp

Method:

1. Wash the bittergords and remove the seeds from within.
2. Cut it into small pieces, mix it with a little salt and haldi and keep aside.
3. Roast the sesame seeds till they crackle and keep aside
4. In a tsp of oil, fry Channa Dhal, Urad Dhal, Methi seeds and Red Chillies till they are golden brown. Remove from pan and keep aside.
5. In the same pan, add the grated coconut and roast it for a couple of mins.
6. Put all the roasted ingredients (coconut, methi seeds, Channa dhal, urad dhal, sesame seeds & R.Chillies) together in a blender and make a smooth paste by adding water.
7. In a heavy bottomed pan, take about 3tbsps of cooking oil. Once it is hot, add the hing and mustard seeds.
8. Drain the bittergourd pieces well and add them to the pan and fry covered on medium heat till they are cooked.
9. Sqeeze the juice out of the tamarind well and add it to the bittergourd. Also add jaggery or brown sugar. Let this boil for at leasr 15 mins.
10. Once the raw smell of the tamarind is gone, add the paste and mix well. If mixture seems too thick, some water can be added. Add salt to taste.
11. As soon as the mixture starts to bubble, remove it off the heat and serve.

Note: This Gojju can be served with Rice or rotis. Bittergourd can be substituted with Ladies-Finger (Okra).