Ingredients

• 2 - pavakai/Bitter gourd/Karela (small)
• 1 tsp - chilli powder
• 1 tsp - cumin powder
• 1/4 tsp - turmeric powder
• Salt to taste
• 1 tbsp - curd/yogurt
• For tempering:
• 2-4 tbsp - oil (as per your choice)
• Mustard seeds
• Cumin seeds
• Asafoetida, a pinch
• Curry leaves, a few
• Optional:
• 1/2 tsp - coarse urad dal powder
• 1/2 tsp - coarse channa dal powder

How to Make Pavakkai fry

• Wash and cut bitter gourd into thin slices with or without seeds.
• This dish can be prepared in two different ways.
• In the first method, marinate all the ingredients for 20-30 minutes. Then, add 1 tbsp oil in a pan, season it with mustard seeds, cumin seeds and curry leaves.
• Add the coarsely ground urad dal powder and channa dal powder, and fry it for a few seconds. Immediately add the marinated bitter gourd and, as you fry, add oil.
• It needs to be fried well until it becomes a little crispy.
• In the other method, heat 1 tbsp oil in a pan, temper mustard seeds, cumin seeds and curry leaves.
• Add the coarsely ground urad dal powder and channa dal powder, fry for a few seconds, immediately add the sliced bitter gourd and saute for 1 minute.
• Then, add the spices one by one and finally add curd/yogurt.
• Curd also helps the spices to blend well with the bitter gourd.
• Add oil as you fry. Fry for around 15-20 minutes to get a crisp side dish.
• Adding curd/yogurt removes some bitterness and gives a great taste.
• Recipe courtesy: Food for 7 Stages of Life