Stuffed Karela

 Karela or bitter gourd is the most bitter vegetable I have known or eaten. Though its disliked by many of us, the veggie is rich in many vitamins like iron, potassium and helps in regulate the blood sugar. Hence beneficial for diabetics in the form of juice or a curry. One can reduce the bitterness by coating the veggie with some salt and turmeric (again this is only optional). I rather would add more onions and garlic flavoured than reducing the bitterness so that we benefit from the vegetable. Here's what i did with mini hagalkayi or karelas.

Ingredients

Mini Bitter gourds - 20 pieces

Peanuts - 4 tbsp

Coriander seeds - 4 tbsp

Cumin seeds - 2 tbsp

Oil - 4 tbsp

Onions finely chopped - 2

Ginger garlic paste - 2 tbsp

Turmeric powder - 1 tsp

Kashmiri red chilli powder - 2 tbsp

Salt to taste

Coriander leaves - 4 tbsp

Lemon juice - 1

Method

First and foremost trim the ends of the bittergourd. Slit the same and remove the seeds.

Then take this in a large bowl, add a tablespoon of salt and half teaspoon turmeric to this. Mix well so that the bitter gourds are coated well. Rub inside the slit too. Rest for 20mins.

Now for the stuffing

Roast the peanuts on a low flame until crunchy.

Then add the Coriander seeds, Cumin seeds - roast on low flame until it turns out aromatic.

Let this cool and grind into a fine powder.

Heat Oil in a pan, add Onions, ginger garlic paste and saute on medium flame until it softens.

Then add the masala powder to the this and mix well.

Add chilli powder, turmeric, salt and mix well on low flame. Take care not to burn but turns aromatic. Let this cool.

Lastly add the coriander leaves and lemon juice and mix well.

Rinse the karela to reduce the bitterness.

Then steam the karela for 15mins until soft.

Then now stuff the prepared masala into the slit and keep it ready.

Heat oil in a kadai on medium flame, place the stuffed karela in the hot oil.

Then flip the karela and cover and cook for further 5mins on low flame.

Cook uniformly until well done.

Its ready to serve !