BITTER GOURD CURRY l PAVAKKA KUZHAMBU l PAVAKKA PITLA

Bitter gourd is  very bitter in taste and will not be liked by all.  However, considering the health benefits and  its medicinal properties that aid in diabetes, liver issues, stomach complaints, skin ailments such as psoriasis and blood purification, we much include this in our diet atleast once in a week.

It is an  antioxidant, fight  against cancer, to lower cholesterol, to combat HIV, kidney stones, measles, as well as malaria.   particularly high in vitamins C, A, folates, thiamin, zinc, iron, potassium, magnesium, manganese and dietary fiber.

My in laws house, they just finely chop the same and put in curd and salt and have it along with their meals.

bitter gourd curry, pavakka or parakka pitla,pavakka kuzhambu

Let us look at the recipe now:
Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time : 45 minutes

Serves: 2-3

Ingredients:

BITTER GOURD CURRY (PAVAKKA KUZHAMBU)

1 No Bitter gourd (Pavakka, kaipakka)

¼ cup Tur dal (tuvaram paruppu)

1 tbsp Sambar powder (sambar podi)

1 tsp Dry mango powder (amchur powder) (u can substitute with tamarind pulp)

1tsp Jaggery/sugar
1/4 tsp Turmeric powder

Salt as per taste

2 tsp oil

Tempering:

1 tsp Oil

1 tsp Mustard seeds

Few Curry leaves

A pinch of Asafoetida

Garnish

Chopped coriander leaves.

Method:

Step 1

Wash the tur dal and pressure cook till it is soft. Chop the bitter gourd after removing the seeds.

Step 2
 

Heat oil in a kadai.  Add the chopped bitter gourd and sauté till it is soft.Add a cup of water, salt, sambar powder, sugar, dry mango powder and cook till soft. Add the tur dal, bring to a boil.

Step 3
 

Temper with the ingredients mentioned  under tempering.  Garnish with chopped coriander leaves.

How to serve:

Serve hot with chapatti, rice, lapsi kitchadi etc.

COCONUT VERSION:

If you want to use coconut, grind  5-6 tbsp coconut along with sambar powder and mix it.

Alternatively, you can fry little bit coriander seeds, red chilli, chana dal, methi seeds, pepper, cumin seeds etc and grind along with the coconut.

Garnish with chopped coriander leaves and fried coconut.   Fry grated coconut in oil till brown and add to the kuzhambu.

health-benefits-of-bitter-gourd.html?q=health+benefits+of+bitter+gourd

 Due to the health consciousness, we have eliminated coconut from our dishes totally.  However, it is good to make the dishes without coconut too as we are really enjoying it now.

Most of the South Indian dishes are prepared with coconut. Without coconut preparation is for diabetic, cholesterol and heart patients. This too can be enjoyed.

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