Pavakkai Pitlai

Pavakkai Pitlai - A South Indian Karela (Bitter Gourd) dish cooked with powdered spices.

Recipe Ingredients

* Bitter Gourd (Karela), cut into thin circular pieces - 3
* Arhar Dal (Split Red Gram), cooked - 1/2 cup
* Chana Dal (Split Bengal Gram) - 2 tbsp
* Refined Oil - 2 tsp
* Tamarind, lemon size - 1
* Mustard Seeds - 1 tsp
* Turmeric Powder - 1/4 tsp
* Coriander Seeds - 2 tbsp
* Black Peppercorns - 4
* Dry Red Chillies - 3
* Asafoetida (hing) - A Pinch
* Coconut, grated - 1 cup
* Curry Leaves - 5
* Salt to taste

Preparation

First soak the tamarind in a cup of hot water for 10 minutes and extract the juice.

Take a kadai(wok) and heat oil(1/4 tsp) in it. Once it is hot, sauté the mustard seeds till they start crackling. Then add bitter gourd, turmeric powder, salt and tamarind juice. Cook till the bitter gourd is fully done. Add little water if necessary.

Heat the remaining oil in a separate pan, sauté all the remaining ingredients except curry leaves till the coconut is reddish brown. Remove and grind to make a fine powder.

Add the cooked split red gram, curry leaves, and spice powder to the bitter gourd mixture. Stir and cook for 2 minutes. Add water if required to get the correct consistency.

Serve with rice and fried papad.

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Pavakkai Pitlai to South Indian Recipes