Bittergourd (Pavakkai) Kootu

Bitter melon, also known as bitter gourd or bitter squash is a nutritious vegetable differing in shape, size and color. The vegetable is known for its strong bitter taste. My kids do not eat this because of its bitter taste, so I tried this recipe and my kids enjoyed it. This is a very simple basic recipe for kootu by adding bitter gourd and toor dal with mild seasoning,topped with grated coconuts.Lets try serving our family with this healthy recipe.

Prep  time	Cooking time	Serves
15 mins	20 mins	4persons

Recipe type:  Kootu varieties

Cuisine:South Indian Cuisine

Ingredients Bitter gourd  -1 large Toor dal -3/4 cup Channa dal -1/4 cup Grated jaggery -1 tbsp Turmeric powder  -1/2 tsp Freshly grated coconut -2 tbsp Seasonings Mustard seeds -1 tsp Urad dal -1 tsp Dried red chillie -2 nos Green chilli -1 no Hing -1/2 tsp Curry leaves –few Oil –to temper Green chillies -3 no’s Cilantro –few sprigs

 

Method

1.Soak the tamarind in 1/2 cup of water for 30 minutes and get the juice.Soak split bengal gram and split pigeon pea for an hour. Drain water.Pressure cook bitter gourd along with toor dal,channa dal and turmeric powder until soft and mushy.(3-4 whistles).Once the pressure is released,add salt and simmer for 5 minutes.

2. Heat some oil in a kadai and temper from mustard seeds through curry leaves.Add to the boiling bitter gourd along with the oil.Simmer for 5 more minutes. 

3.Now add the coconut paste and bring to boil until the raw smell is gone. Remove from heat then add asafoetida powder and coriander leaf mix well and serve.

Notes

Wash, de-seed and cut gourd into slices. Sprinkle some salt, 1/2 tsp turmeric powder, set aside for about half an hour. Now squeeze slices, wash 1-2 times in fresh water.