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July 6, 2010

Karatya Song



Bitter Gourd! Most people hate it. Some people love it. I am one of those very few people who are indifferent to it. I can't profess undying love for the vegetable. I can never bring myself to say I don't like it. I can't  even relate to either group of people.

I have never stopped looking for recipes that are simple and use bitter gourd. Simple only because S won't touch the vegetable. And I can't do an elaborate routine just for myself, right? (For those of you who're new to this blog, I am about the laziest person you will ever come across.)

After success with the Batata Song, I decided to try this. S has been a weekend spouse for most part this summer and I conned a wholesale vegetable vendor into selling me just 4 baby bitter gourds. The result of these two seemingly independent incidents is this dish.


4 Baby Bitter Gourds, sliced and steamed
4 Onions, sliced
1 tbsp Tamarind Paste
2 tsp Red Chilli Paste
1 tsp Jaggery, grated
1 tbsp Oil
Salt to taste




Heat the oil in a kadhai. Add the onions and fry for 5-10 minutes, until the onions are evenly browned. Add the tamarind and chilli pastes. After a couple of minutes, add the bitter gourd, jaggery and salt. Add a little water. Cover and cook for a few minutes. Remove the lid and cook for another 2-3 minutes.


This is about the best way to eat bitter gourds. With some hot rotis and a bowl of cold curd, you're all set to have a lovely meal.

23 comments:

sra said...

Oh, this is the dish behind the story! :)

Anonymous said...

What a coincident... I made bitter gourd too yesterday. Will post it in a day or two. Just like you, I wouldn't say I love the vegetable but I do like it.

Deepti said...

Well i m the one who luv this veggie...nice version.

Parita said...

I am not a big fan of bitter gourd but the veggies surely looks promising, will try sometime your way!

Hari Chandana P said...

Looks yummmm.. nice click too

Laavanya said...

My husband can't stand this veggie too unless it's deep fried so I usually make curries just for me and this looks simple and delicious.

Anonymous said...

I love bittergourd. Am going to try this one. Onions, Tamarind n jaggery seem like an interesting combination with bittergourd!

M

Indian Khana said...

I like this very much....looks nice

aipi said...

Have never made bitter gourds this way ... but they are my favorite. I like the combination of tamarind and jaggery , will try this for sure!!

RV @ Food for 7 Stages said...

I hated Bittergourd and swore that I will never eat this vegetable.. But times changed I do it often these days but yeah I love it only in my husband's recipe.

Unknown said...

Hi Raaga, Long since i dropped by here. Am doing good. Getting ready for our India trip :) Though am not a big fan of bittergourd would love to have it once in a while. Sounds great with rotis.

WinnyNinny PooPoo said...

I have nominated you for the Versatile blogger award. The jpg if you care to display it is at
http://picasaweb.google.com/winnyninnypoopoo/Awards#5492551602448927890

The post nominating you is at noextendedwarranty.blogspot.com

Thank you for your most delicious and well illustrated recipes!

delhibelle said...

I'm indifferent to karela too, still I try to make it atleast once in two months..this recipe will be handy then

Miri said...

Love love bitter gourd anbd always looking for recipes too! Thanks for this one - luckily S loves it too, so its good going..

will catch up with you this week!

Padmajha said...

We love bittergourd.I wish I could grab that bowl straight off the screen :)

Divya Kudua said...

I love making saung with different veggies too.Made Alambe/mushroom saung yesterday,now got to try this one!!

Aparna Balasubramanian said...

I learnt somethng like this from my husband's aunt. Except she marinades the bittegourd in the spices and then stir fries them. Yum!
I'm another person who likes bittergourd, but the other two here don't. :)

So I just made some a couple of days back, just for me. And that's not something I usually do. Too much work, right? :)

SpicyTasty said...

Love bittergourd and love the recipe. Looks soo yummy!!

anudivya said...

No undying love... but I do like this vegetable a lot... especially in a simple preparation as this.

Aparna S Mallya said...

I never liked bittergourd so have never ever cooked with it. My hubby is also not a big fan. Always think of doing it, maybe it's high time I actually did! The dish looks nice :).

Sharmi said...

hello maam! How are you?
I love bittergourd. havent made them recently though!

lubnakarim06 said...

Iam also fan of bitter gourd...the bitter the better....once in a while we need to taste some bitter too....this recipe sounds simple and yum....

Divya Kudua said...

Where have you disappeared??