Bitter Gourd Tamarind Curry | Pavakka Puli Kuzhambu | Bitter Gourd/ Karela/ Pavakka Recipe

Pavakka Puli Kuzhambhu is one of the first recipe that I tried using Pavakka, if you had seen my earlier recipe on Pavakka Stir Fry you would know this. Since I was new to cooking this veg I had great difficulty to find the perfect recipe and when I saw my friend Saranya post this recipe I immediately set all doubts aside and went ahead with it. Thanks Saranya for sharing this wonderful recipe which is one of my favorite now. 

Pavakka Puli Kozhambhu is a tangy curry which is mild in spice and is a great accompaniment with white rice and any veg side. Its a perfect satisfying curry for those days when we wish to go vegan. It does take a while to make this so don't do it when you are in a hurry, to be honest it tastes great the next day ;-). The bitter gourd does not taste bitter but very mild in bitterness hence if you are someone who hates this veg go ahead try it and you will love it for sure.

Verdict ~ A favorite recipe @ home and we have it every fort-night

Recipe Source ~ Sarani's Kitchen
Serves ~ 4
Prep time ~ 15 mins
Cooking time ~ 20 mins

Ingredients
 
Bitter Gourd/ Pavakka - 2
Onion - 1 medium, chopped
Tomato - 1 medium, chopped
Tamarind - 1 medium gooseberry size
Dry Red chilli - 4
Hing (Asafoetida) - 1/4 tsp
Cumin Seeds - 1 tsp
Mustard seeds - 1 tsp
Curry Leaves - 1 spring
Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
Chilli powder - 1 tsp
Coriander powder - 1 tsp
Sambar/ pulikulambu powder - 2 tsp
Salt to taste
Oil as required

To Grind~
Coconut - 2 tbsp
Fennel Seed - 1 tsp

Method:

1. Wash and cut pavakkai horizontally into discs. Soak in salt water for about 10 minutes. Soak the tamarind in 2 cups of warm water set aside.
2. Drain the excess water from the bitter gourd and spread it on kitchen towel to absorb all traces of water.
3. Heat 2 tbsp oil in a pan and fry the bitter gourd to brown color. Take care not to burn them and using a slotted spoon drain them and spread over kitchen towel
4. In the same oil, add the mustard seeds once they splutter then add fennel seeds and chopped onion fry til onion becomes light brown. Now add chopped tomatoes followed by turmeric, chilli powder, coriander powder and sambar powder (or pulikulambu powder) and salt. Add half cup water and let it cook until oil separates. 
5. Add the fried bitter gourd and mix well followed by tamarind juice. Let this mixture come to a boil. Grind the coconut with fennel seeds and mix the paste with it.
6. Reduce the heat to medium cover and let it cook for about 10-15 mins, till the curry becomes thick

Serve hot with white rice and your favorite veg porriyal

Cooks Wisdom 

- Soaking pavakka in salt water reduces bitterness and also frying them

- If using tamarind paste use 3 tbsp along with 1.5 cups water

- The curry can be diluted as per preference