Ingredients

• For main dish:
• 1 - medium-sized Bitter Gourd/Karela
• 1 - big onion, sliced thin and lengthwise
• 1 tsp - mustard seeds
• 1 tsp - cumin seeds
• 2 tsp - urad dal
• 2 tsp - concentrated tamarind paste
• 1 inch cube - jaggery
• 1 tsp - turmeric powder
• 2 - green chillies, slit
• 1 tsp - lemon juice
• 2 tbsp + 1 tsp - oil
• salt to taste
• 3 cups + 2 tbsp - water
• 1 cup - raw rice, soaked in enough water
• For masala:
• A handful of peanuts
• 1 tbsp - coriander seeds
• 1 - red chilli
• 2 tsp - cumin seeds
• a handful of urad dal
• To garnish:
• 2 sprigs - coriander leaves
• 1 sprig - curry leaves

How to Make Bitter Gourd Rice - Karela Rice

• Preparing the masala:
• Dry-grind the ingredients listed for preparation of the masala. Then dry-roast until you get the aroma. Keep aside.
• Preparing the main dish:
• Add 1 tsp of oil, lemon juice and salt to taste to the raw rice. Pressure-cook with 2 cups of water (3 whistles).
• Put concentrated tamarind paste, jaggery and 1 cup of water in a pan and bring to boil. Simmer for some time until the quantity reduces to half.
• Scrape the bitter gourd and cut into pieces. Add salt and 1/2 tsp of turmeric powder. Keep aside for 30 minutes.
• Heat 2 tbsp oil in a big deep pan. Add the mustard seeds, urad dal and cumin seeds.
• When the seeds splutter, add the onion and green chillies.
• When the onion turns translucent, add 1/2 tsp of turmeric powder and the bitter gourd and saute well.
• Cook the bitter gourd until tender.
• Add the roasted masala mixture and mix well. Then add the tamarind jaggery mixture.
• Cover and cook until the bitter gourd is fully cooked (Add 2 tbsp of water if the mixture is too dry).
• Add salt and let the preparation simmer.
• Add the cooked rice, mix well and simmer for 2-3 minutes.
• Garnish with coriander and curry leaves.
• Recipe courtesy: enelm.blogspot.in