Pavakai Curry

As much as most people detest this vegetable, there is something about it that I love. My husband only likes the deep-fried version but somedays I can get by with the baked version, which in my opinion tastes just as good but he begs to differ. Anyway the following preparation method is not something that I would recommend for those who do not like bittergourd... there is still some remant bitterness but I welcome it and is is one of my favorite ways to enjoy this vegetable. Of course.. when I make it, it's just for moi - am glad there's no competition because that just means more for me :)

Unfortunately, I can't remember now where I got this recipe from... but it's on one of the many printed sheets that I've carefully filed a while ago.

PAVAKKAI CURRY/MASALA


Ingredients:
Pavakkai / Karela / Bittergourd -3, medium ( I choose light green ones)
Onion (preferably shallots) - about half cup, chopped
Tomato- half of medium one, chopped
Turmeric Powder - 1/4 tsp
Chilly Powder- 1 tsp
Coriander powder- 1.5 tsp.
Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
Curry leaves - 1 stalk
Salt - to taste
Oil - 4 tsp (preferably gingelly oil / nallennai)

To Grind: (to a smooth paste with a splash of water)
Coconut Shredded - 2 tbsp
Kasa Kasa (poppy seeds) - 1 tsp, soaked in little warm water
Tamarind paste - 1/4 to 1/2 tsp

Method:
1) Cut the bittergourd into small pieces (after removing the seeds). Add a bit of salt to the bittergourd and let it rest for about 30 minutes or so.

2) Heat 2 tsp of oil in a pan and add the bittergourd pieces. Allow this to fry for about 5-7 minutes with frequent stirring till almost done. Remove and keep aside.

3) Return the pan to the flame, heat the remaining 2 tsp of oil and season with mustard seeds and curry leaves. Add in the onions and fry till light brown.

4) Stir in the tomatoes, a bit of salt & turmeric powder and cook till mushy. Add the chilli powder, coriander powder and the ground paste & stir for a few minutes before adding about half cup or more of water.

5) Stir in the bittergourd pieces when the mixture starts to boil. Cover and allow to cook on a medium flame till the pavaka is completely cooked. I usually prefer a thicker consistency so I let it cook till it reaches that point. The curry is now ready & I typically enjoy it with rice.

Comments

  1. very nice! i love pavakka, ill eat it anyway, but I must say, deep fried pavakka chips are the bestest :)

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  2. nice one .. we always make gojju out of it .. shall try this version sometime .. I dont seem to mind the bitterness in that

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  3. I am one of those ppl who don't likez this veg, still the dish looks yumm,

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  4. Colourful twist..unless u had mentioned, it didnt look like pavakai at all

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  5. My husband loves this sauteed in oil with spices, I manage to eat a tbsp with difficulty although it tastes great! :D

    Masala sounds great, looks good too. Yummy with Rice rotti. Send this to EC's event..side dish..! :)

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  6. "am glad there's no competition because that just means more for me :)"
    You sound just like me :D...

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  7. I am a big fan of pavakai, It is just for moi 2 :)Delicous, I imagine with plain rice!

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  8. Laavanya, other than the littlest member of the household we all love this vegetable. I cook it almost the same way without the poppy seeds and coconut.

    This looks delicious.

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  9. This is a dish I could try...looks delicious.

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  10. Not a big fan of pavakai..but ur curry looks yummy :)

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  11. where's the pavakkai? :) If I hadn't seen the title, I would have guessed it to be a mixed veg curry.. Love the look of your curry!

    I'm not a fan of bittergourd, but my husband loves it.. May be I'll try this for him sometime..

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  12. i just love pavakkai especially when it is stir-fried till it becomes crispy...with lots of spices in it!! teh curry also looks amazing!

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  13. Thanks for your comment. Reposting an archived dish is needed so that your readers become aware of the event. You could post separately with a picture and link back to the original post or you could mention your participation with the picture and logo in one of your new posts.
    Looking forward to your entry.

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  14. looks so colourful... would not have guessed it to be pavakai - looks like a mix vegetable curry - must have tasted great :)

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  15. New recipe with Karela I always make gojju with it. Looks and sounds delicious.Will give this a try..

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  16. Loved this one Lavanya..My hubby's fav veggie..So I gotto try this ..Thanks..:)

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  17. I make pavakai poriyal once a week, your is a new method to me Laavanya, I like the ground spices you have used, I should definitely try this yummy recipe :)

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  18. With kasakasa, it should have taste different!!

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  19. looks yumm.. i love bittergourd..and keeplooking out for different recipes..this one sounds good..

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  20. wow.. your pic will tempt even a hater of pavakai.. i love this veg and wud love to try this.

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  21. fav dish of me and my hubby.will make it in a different way.pic looks tempting.

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  22. I think this is not my dish ;) I too like little only the deep fried version!

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  23. I like it stuffed with onion-jaggery and shallow-fried. No fun eating bittergourd without some bitterness.

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  24. Even I like this veggie but most of the time try the deep fried version only...this one looks gud as its healthy too!

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  25. That's true Veggie belly, fried is good :) I like that version too.

    Deesha, will check out your gojju sometime.

    Thanks Happy Cook - am sure you are not alone in not liking this veggie.

    EC, i know this looks deceiving so i tried to serve it to my husband w/o mentioning what it is but after one taste he knew and quick put it back on my plate :)

    Asha, that's how my husband likes it too.. you don't like even that version?

    Rajitha, oh i've always felt that way... even as a kid, i was quite happy that my brother wouldn't touch yogurt with a pole - more for me :)

    Thank you Vanamala.

    Cham, sometimes i can't believe how much i enjoy this combination.

    Thanks Indo.

    Poornima, thank you and also for the comment explaining the event rules :)

    Madhu, i know there are quite a few in your club.

    Sujatha, since they are chopped finely not too discernible in the picture but one taste and you will know exactly where the pavakkai is :) If your husband likes pavakkai in general, i have a feeling he will like this.

    Superchef.. i love how you've described your preferred method of pavakkai preparation - sounds delish.

    Thank you Indhu, madhu, Varsha & Gita - hope you get a chance to try it.

    Thank you Lavi & Sowmya.

    Mahima & Jeyashri.. thank you so much! :) - hope you get to try it.

    Thank you Divya.

    Raks :) my husband will be quite happy to see the list of those who don't like this veggie.

    Sra, wow that's unique.. the jagger must help balance the bitterness I suppose.

    Shama, thank you.

    Sharmilee - true.. most pple like that version the best.

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  26. Am the one who doesnt taste this when cooked as a curry except for the chutney my grandma makes....

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  27. So drolling and I am very sure it'll be taste great with tiny bite size of jaggery. I too make it same. Let u know that I subscribe ur blog.

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  28. I think that's the most delicious looking karela dish I've ever seen! :)

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