Sour Bittergourd Gravy

Sour Bittergourd Gravy

Ingredients

3 medium sized bittergourds
1/4 kg small sambhar onions, peeled
1 cup freshly grated coconut
2 tsp jaggery, crumbled
2 lemon size balls of tamarind
5 red chillies
3 tsp coriander seeds
2 tsp curry leaves
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp cumin seeds
1/4 tsp fenugreek seeds
2 tsp sesame seeds
1/4 tsp turmeric powder
1/4 tsp asafoetida
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup coconut oil

For the seasoning

1 tsp curry leaves
1/2 tsp mustard seeds
2 red chillies, broken into bits

For the garnishing

1 tsp mint leaves, chopped

1 tsp coriander leaves, chopped

Method

1. Wash, peel and cut the bittergourds into one inch pieces.

2. Roast the grated coconut till golden.

3. Roast the red chillies, coriander seeds, curry leaves, pepper, cumin,fenugreek and the sesame seeds till the raw smell disappears.

4. Grind the roasted ingredients to a fine paste.

5. Soak the tamarind in two cups hot water, and extract the juice.

6. Cook the bittergourds till tender and dry in enough water.

7. Heat half the quantity if oil and saute the onions.

8. Add the tamarind juice, ground paste, jagger,turmeric powder, asafoetida and salt. Bring it to boil for five minutes.

9. Add the cooked bittergourds and cook for teo minutes.Remove it from fire and transfer the contents to serving dish.

10. Heat the remaining quantity of coconut oil and saute the seasoning ingredients. Pour it over the theeyal and mix.

11. Garnish the dish with chopped mint and the coriander leaves.

12. Serve hot with rice.