Grated Bitter Gourd (Karela) Fry

Name: Grated Bitter Gourd (Karela) Fry
Cuisine: Indian
Ingredients: 500 gms karela (Bitter Gourd / Melon), grated; 2 tbsp. mustard oil; 1 tsp. kalonji (nigella seeds); 2-3 dry red chilies; 1/4 tsp. asafoetida (hing); 1/2 tsp. turmeric powder; 6-7 garlic cloves, chopped; 1 tsp. ghee to serve; to taste salt

Bethica Das @kitchen_flavours

Sharjah (UAE)

#diabetes - Karela or Bitter Melon has it's own health benefits as it is considered to lower blood-sugar levels in diabetic patients. There are many versions to it and it differs from one region to the other.

Here is my version of a simple karela fry cooked in mustard oil. To reduce the bitterness to some extent, squeeze the juice off from the grated karela and cook with just a tempering of kalonji, red chilies, asafoetida, garlic, salt and turmeric powder. It is best enjoyed with plain steamed rice and ghee.

Bethica Das @kitchen_flavours

Saved

Ingredients

500 gmskarela (Bitter Gourd / Melon), grated
2 tbsp.mustard oil
1 tsp.kalonji (nigella seeds)
2-3dry red chilies
1/4 tsp.asafoetida (hing)
1/2 tsp.turmeric powder
6-7garlic cloves, chopped
1 tsp.ghee to serve
to tastesalt

Saved

Steps

1

Grate the karela and keep aside.
2

Heat oil in a pan and temper with kalonji and red chilies.
3

Add the asafoetida and garlic. Saute till it changes colour. Keep aside 1 tsp. of the tempering to garnish.
4

Add the karela, salt and turmeric powder. Fry till dry & done.
5

Garnish with the remaining tempering and serve with steamed rice.