Pagarkai Masala (Bittergourd Masala)

 Another tasty poriyal with Bitter Gourd.. It goes well with Sambar rice and Curd rice. First Bitter Gourd is cooked in tamarind water and then its sauteed together in a Onion - Tomato gravy.. The recipe follows..

Recipe For : 2

Preparation Time : 30 minutes

Ingredients:

Paggarkai                 - 250 gm (Bitter Gourd)
Big Onion                - 1
Tomato                    - 1
Tamarind                 - 1 tsp
Salt                          - As required
Turmeric Powder   - 1/2 tsp
Chili Powder           - 1/2 tsp
Coriander Powder   - 1/2 tsp
Mustard Seeds         - 1/4 tsp
Cumin Seeds           - 1/4 tsp
Curry Leaves           - few
Oil                           - 1 tbsp

Procedure:

• This recipe uses Big Bitter Gourd. Wash and chop it into thick round slices. Chop Big onion and Tomato finely. Extract juice from Tamarind.
• Take a Sauce pan. Add chopped Bitter Gourd, Tamarind juice, salt and a pinch of Turmeric powder to it. Add enough water just to soak Bitter Gourd and start boiling it. Cook until Bitter Gourd is soft.
• Heat oil in a pan. Add Mustard seeds and Cumin  Seeds.
•  When they splutter, add Big Onion and Curry leaves.
• After it turns translucent, add chopped Tomatoes.
• Add also salt, Turmeric Powder, Chili Powder and Coriander Powder.
• Cover with a lid and cook. After both onion and tomato is cooked and mashed up well, add cooked Bittergourd along with water if there is any.
• Saute till the masala reaches thick consistency. Enjoy your tasty Bitter Gourd poriyal.

Pavakkai Varuval (Bitter Gourd Varuval)

Pavakkai Varuval (Bitter Gourd Varuval)

Bitter Gourd is one of the healthiest vegetables known to the world.  Its this vegetable, which helps for the proper functioning of all organs of the body. It not only controls Diabetes, but also helps with eyes, skin and weight loss. I used Paluthu pavakkai , which won't be much bitter for this recipe. You can prepare this varuval using any type of pavakkai.. Those small pavakkai from country side is very tasty.

Here is that healthy recipe..

Ingredients: (Recipe for 2)

Pavakkai               - 1/4 kg   (Bitter Gourd)

Mustard Seeds      - 1 tsp

Urad Dal               - 1 tsp

Salt                        - As required

Turmeric Powder  - 1/4 tsp

Chilli Powder        - 1/2 tsp

Oil                         - As required

Curry Leaves        - few

Procedure:

• Chop Bitter Gourd finely.
• Heat oil in a pan. Add mustard seeds and urad dal.
• When they splutter, add curry leaves and chopped bitter gourd.
• Cover it with a lid and cook in  a medium flame.
• When bitter gourd is half done, add salt , turmeric powder and chilli powder.
• Keep on sauteing in between. See to that bitter gourd didn't get burnt.
• Saute till bitter gourd is cooked and crispy.
• Serve it with rice and Kuzhambu of your choice.