TANGY BITTER GOURD THOKKU/ PAVAIKAI THOKKU (TAMIL VEGETARIAN RECIPE)/ DRY KARELA SABZI (EP 38)

Method:

PREPPING:

1) Scrape off the seeds of the bitter gourd (1/4 kilo) , slice into half circles, wash in salt water and let it dry at room temperature for a day.

2) Cut, slice onions (3 onions) , add salt and sugar ( 3 tbsp each) and let it marinate for 2 to 3 hours.

3) Take some tamarind( 1/4 cups worth), add hot water, extract the pulp, strain and set aside

COOKING:

1) Heat 5 tbsp of vegetable oil and pan fry the bitter gourd until you obtain a deep brown colour ( takes around 20 to 30 minutes).

2) Heat 1/4 cup of oil, add the sliced, marinated onions and cook them, halfway through the cooking, add 20 curry leaves and 20 chopped cloves of garlic. ( this takes another 20 to 30 minutes).

3) Heat 2 tbsp of oil in a separate pan, add 1 tsp each of mustard seeds, cumin seeds and fenugreek seeds.

4) Add 1/4 tsp of asafoetida, 1/2 tsp of turmeric powder, 1/2 tsp of chilly powder, 1 tsp of sambar or curry powder and let them cook for 30 seconds.

5) Add the tamarind extrcat, 1/2 cup of water and let the mixture come to a boil, add 1/4 cup of jaggery or brown sugar and let it dissolve in the mixture.

6) Add the onion garlic curry leaves mixture and also the fried bitter gourd and mix till they become homogeneous and let it simmer.

7) Check for salt and add if necessary. Bitter gourd thokku is ready!!