When it comes to Bitter Gourd, I am quite partial to it. Well in the other sense I mean. I try my best never to include in my menu atleast, as long as its in hubby's and Athamma's, I have no issues with it. I guess I haven't really still grown out of my childhood fancies with this vegetable. Hubby is a great fan of Kakara kaya, and for many unaccountable times, I must've cooked this for him. But I have always made sure I have something for myself. I really can't seem to get myself to eat it. Even as a Pakoda or Deep fry, the bitterness wouldn't just go.
But hubby dear likes it in all forms. He especially likes the way Athamma makes, so I make it the same way too. Afterall when I am not eating it, why should I care if he likes his mom's. Hope he doesn't read this. Anyway, though this gets cooked as a salad on daily basis, I completely forgot to make anything else with it. Then all of a sudden, I get reminded by hubby that its been ages that he had them. So its off to Bitter gourd again. This time, it was made as a gojju, rather a thick vegetable curry. Goes well as a poriyal or fry. Another strange thing happened. I remembered very distinctly having posted a Kakara kaya kura, but for the life of me, can't find that post. Its still lying in the draft. I guess that's got to wait.
This was sent as a side dish with Palak Dal and Rice. Hubby was mighty happy with his lunch box that day. For once I heard him say on his own that he liked his lunch box.
Today's Lunch Box had
Palak Pappu ~ Spinach Dal
Kakara kaya gojju ~ Bitter Gourd Medium Sauté
Pepper Cumin Rasam
Curd Rice
Onion - 1 small
Tomato - 2 medium
Chilli powder - 1 tsp
Coriander powder - 1 tsp
Turmeric
Ginger garlic paste - 1/2 tsp
Coconut paste - 1/2 tsp
Salt to taste
Oil - 2 tsp
Method to prepare:
Grate the outer skin of the bitter gourd and chop into thin circles. Dry roast them on a pan and soak in salt water for 5 - 10 mins. This is to remove the excess bitterness in the gourds.
Heat a pan with oil. Sauté the chopped onions till they turn pink. Then add the ginger garlic paste. Fry for 2 mins.
Then add the chopped tomatoes and dry spices powders and salt. Let it get cooked well. Squeeze out the excess water from Bitter gourd and add to the pan.
Simmer and cook with lid for about 15 mins. Stir in between to ensure its not burnt, since we are not adding water. Also you can let the steam from the lid get back to the vegetable. Add the coconut paste. This is very little as its just to give that extra taste. You can ignore it too.
Once the bitter gourd is well cooked and its well coated, can be removed.
Other Bitter Gourds that came my way:
Kakara Kaya Vepudu ~ Bitter Gourd Stir Fry
Kakarakay Pakoda ~ Bitter Gourd Fitters
Spiced Karela in Nuts
I am sending my Bitter Gourd to Pooja from My Creative Ideas who is hosting an event on Vegetables. This month its themed on Bitter Gourd. Be sure to check on her lovely round up on Eggplant!
kamala says
bitter gourd fry looks spicy and yummy.I missed your twins last 3 days.Do write abt them
ranji says
thats a great collection of lunch box series..i love them all!!!
Raaga says
try it sometime... you may actually like it
shriya says
Wow srivalli, thats a nice collection of food for lunch box series. I love spinach dal and used to make it once in a week. Very healthy too.
Laavanya says
In our house it's the other way around.. I eat bitter gourd and my husband doesn't (unless it's deep-fried) but I've got him eating oven baked nowadays.. although he complains a little bit.
That lunchbox combination looks delicious!
Jayashree says
Both me and hubby love bittergourd...this looks really good.
bee says
why do you scrape the outer skin?
Dhivya says
wow!my hubby love to eat bittergourd...will try this for him:) and i've sent my entry to ur dosa mela..did u get it?plz let know once u get that...thanks in advance
indosungod says
Srivalli that lunch must have been the envy of everyone who took a glance in your hubby's office 🙂 Bitter gourd is a fav of mine and that looks yummy.
Cynthia says
Oh gosh you cooked bitter gourd? I'm on my way 🙂
satya says
Good combination for a lunch box Srivalli....fry looks spicy and tasty..
Namratha says
Few of my friends have been asking me for Bitter Gourd recipe, will send them this post right away! 🙂
Pooja says
Bitter gourd with coconut must be tasting good, Never heard of this combo. I just loved this combination Srivalli.
Thanks for a wonderful recipe , and yeah that is for VoW I am so proud to have this from you 🙂 .
btw, if you wish you can send the other bitter gourd dishes too... just link them back to event . and send the details with pic. Do it if you wish . Just a suggestion though 🙂 .
Hugs to you for participating with this nice curry recipe.
Srivalli says
Raaga, hhaahh..maybe I will take it some more time
shriya, thanks..glad you noticed...yep we too make it often
Laavanya, thats nice to know thank you..i might check on that baked ones
kamala, thank you...so sweet of you to ask me...I did just wrote abt themm
ranji, glad you liked this..
Jayashree, wow..you guys make a bitter sweethearts!..kidding..nice to know
bee, you guys cook it as such???...well to be very frank..thats how I learnt..maybe I have never really analyzed why though..now I shall look at the outer skin next time I cook!..
indosungod, yeah it is ...thats so nice to know...when its this, I pack extra for his colleagues too..
Dhivya, yep got the mail..and glad you liked this
Cynthia, you are most welcome anytime!
satya, thanks..I heard it went well too!
Namratha, oh thats nice to know!..thank you..