Karela do pyaza (Bitter gourd do pyaza)

Servings: 5-6
Preparation time: 10 minutes.
Cooking time: 20-22 minutes.
Total time: 32 minutes.

Bitter gourd is very common and popular vegetable not only Indian continent but now in Japan too. It is called (Gōya, ゴーヤ) in Japanese; history says that earlier it was super food of Okinawa region only, but now it is considered one of the healthiest vegetable throughout Japan. Japanese cook and serve this vegetable in different ways… as Tempura, Salad, Boiled vegetables, Fried, baked… etc.

As everyone knows that many foods are bitter in taste but excellent for our health; Karela (bitter gourd) is one such vegetable, contains certain compounds that have natural ability to cleanse and detoxify the liver, and restores vital organs, acid- alkali balance. It has natural antibacterial properties, remove acne, and check the diabetes and obesity.

The recipe “Karela do pyaza (Bitter gourd do pyaza)” consists of bitter gourd and double quantity of onion; serve with any meal…

Ingredients:

Karela (Bitter gourd): 200 gm
Onion: 350-400 gm.
Mustard seed: ½ teaspoon
Fennel seed powder: 2 teaspoon
Turmeric powder: half teaspoon
Coriander powder: 2 teaspoon
Mustard Oil/any cooking oil: 4 tablespoon
Salt: one teaspoon (as per taste)
Jaggery: 1 teaspoon (as per taste)
Lemon: ½ no.

Preparation:

Slice the bitter gourd, keep aside.
Chop half of the onion longitudinally and half quantity of onion into 8 pieces and separates them layer by layer as in photo, keep aside.

Method:

Heat 2 tablespoon of oil in a fry pan; add separated layers of onion; sauté on high flame for 2-3 minutes or till it gets light brown in colour, remove it. Keep aside.
Add remaining oil, when starts to smoke; add mustard seed, sputter it for few seconds, add bitter gourd, stir fry on medium flame for 5-6 minutes or until half done, add longitudinally sliced onion and stir fry for couple of minutes.
Add coriander powder, turmeric powder, fennel powder and salt; fry till onion become translucent and vegetable done (About 5-6 minutes).
Now it’s time to add fried layers of onion cook for couple of minutes on medium flame, add lemon juice or mango powder, stir fry for couple of minutes on lower flame. Put off the flame.
‘Transfer in to serving bowl and decorate with lemon wedges. Serve with “Roti“, “Paratha” or as a side dish.