Stuffed Bitter Gourd / Bharwa karela Recipe
Stuffed Bitter Gourd / Bharwa karela - a bitter gourd stuffed with a spicy nutty flavorful masala mix. It is easy to make, tastes the so good .. a great side dish to any Indian meal.
Ingredients
- 1/2 kg Bitter Gourd
- tsp T Salt
- tsp Turmeric / Haldi
- 2-3 tbsp Oil
For the filling ( Masala )
- 1-2 tbsp Oil
- 2 medium size Onion , finely chopped
- 1 tsp Ginger Garlic paste
- Salt to taste
- 1 -1.5 tsp Red chilli, based on your preference
- 2 tsp Aamchoor pwd
- 1-2 t Jaggery
- 1/2 tsp Haldi
- pinch of Hing / asafoetida
- 1.5 tsp Dhania powder / coriander powder
- 1/2 tsp Jeera powder / cumin powder
- 3-4 tbsp Roasted peanuts , slightly crushed
- 2-3 tbsp Dry coconut / Kopra ( grated ), optional
Instructions
- Pick tiny variety tender bitter gourds. Deskin the bitter gourd using a peeler. Don't throw away peel.
- Slit the veggies at centre. Scoop out the flesh and seeds using a spoon. Prepare all the Bitter gourd similarly.
- Apply salt and turmeric nicely to the gourd, sprinkle salt to peel and mix . Keep aside for 30 mins. After 30 mins , Wash karela with water to remove bitterness. Squeeze out the peels.
- To prepare Stuffing :In a kadai or pan , heat 2-3 tbsp oil. Add 2 medium sized , very finely chopped Onion , Add the bitter gourd peel and tsp ginger garlic paste. Saute 2-3 mins on medium flame .
- Once raw smell form onion has gone , add all the masala ingredients 1 by 1 i.e Haldi Powder, Red chilli powder, Aamchoor powder, Jaggery, Salt to taste, pinch of hing, Dhania powder, Jeera powder . Combine everything and saute the masala for 1-2 mins
- If the mixture looks too dry , splash few tsp water , mix and mash a bit .Let the consistency of the masala be a bit mushy .
- Meanwhile , slightly crush roasted peanuts ( don't make powder.. there should be few pieces here and there ) and grated dry coconut ( optional ) . Mix.
- That's it , our spicy nutty filling is ready. Allow it to cool a bit.
- Once the masala has cooled a bit , Stuff the filling nicely into the bitter gourd. Prepare each bitter gourd by stuffing them nicely with masala and keep them ready.
- Heat 2-3 tbsp Oil in a pan and place the stuffed bitter gourd on the pan. Cover and cook for 3-4 mins on low flame. If required , drizzle a splash of water . When , one side is nicely cooked , flip and cook other side for 3-4 mins on low medium flame. Nicely cook both the sides .
- The gourds would have nicely roasted if cooked in low medium flame. If you have any left over stuffing masala , you can add that too towards the end, splash few drops water and give a mix.
- That's it , stuffed bitter gourd is ready to serve !!