This is a very tasty dish made out of Bitter Gourd and a popular delicacy in Northern India.
Ingredients
- Bitter gourd – 250grams (peeled and deseeded)
- Onion – 1 piece ( chopped)
- Water – 1 cup
- Mustard oil – 5 teaspoon
Spices
- Asafoetida – 2 teaspoon
- Fennel seeds(saunf) – 2 teaspoon
- Onion seeds(kalaunji) – 2 teaspoon
- Coriander powder – 2 teaspoon
- Cumin powder – 2 teaspoon
- Red chili powder – 1 teaspoon
- Dry mango powder – 4-5 tablespoon (extra if required)
- Sugar – 2 tablespoon
Procedure
- Wash the bitter gourd properly and peel and deseed it after slitting it open from one side only.
- Take the seeds of the bitter gourd and wash it.
- Mix it with mustard oil and all spices like asafoetida, fennel seeds, onion seeds, coriander powder, cumin powder,red chili powder,dry mango powder half of the total quantity mentioned.
![Seeds in spices](https://somascookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Copy-of-Untitled-Design-8-1024x474.png)
- Put this seed mixture back inside the bitter gourd pieces. Keep aside.
![Seeds and spices in slit karela](https://somascookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Copy-of-Untitled-Design-9-1024x474.png)
- Take a kadhai and put mustard oil in it. Put asafoetida for tempering and chopped onion pieces for frying till it
turns light pink in colour. - Put the rest of the spices on this mixture.
- Put water on the mixture and let it come to boil.
- Place the bitter gourd pieces in the water and let it cook till they soften and solution dries up. Add more water if required.
![karela in kadhai](https://somascookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Copy-of-Untitled-Design-10-1024x474.png)
- Add sugar and dry mango powder to adjust the taste of the dish. The taste finally should sweet and sour and not bitter.
![Cooked Karela](https://somascookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Copy-of-Untitled-Design-11-1024x474.png)
Bharwan Karela or filled Bitter Gourd is ready to eat.
Happy Cooking!!
Recipe courtesy Sarika Pushpendra