Pavaka Thoku [Bitter Gourd ]

Ingredients :

• Tender bitter gourd [Pavakai] - 1/4 kg
• Onion  - 3 to 4  [Big cut into very small]
• Green chillies - 4 to 5 [Cut into small pieces]
• Seasame oil [Nalyannai]- As required for frying
• Salt - As per taste
• Turmeric powder - 1/2 sp
• Red chillie powder - 2 sp
• Jaggery - Small lemon size
• Curry leaves - Little.

For Grinding Masala :

• Fresh grated coconut - 2 tbl sp
• Tamarind paste - 1 sp
• Coriander seeds - 1 hand full
• Dry red chillies - 10 to 12.

[Fry coriander seeds, dry red chillies, tamarind paste, in 2 sps of oil in kadai and remove from the gas. In same kadai add the grated coconut and mix well. Then grind in the mixcer and form to a fine paste.]

For Seasoning :

• Mustard seeds - 1 sp
• Urad dal - 1 sp
• Methi seeds - 1 / 2 sp
• Curry leaves - Little
• Seasame oil - As required.

Method :

First take one deep bottom vessel and keep it on the gas. Pour oil to that, add mustard seeds, urad dal, to that, when the mustard seeds splutters and the dal turns in to golden brown, add the tiny cut onions to that. Fry for 10 mins till the onions change into brown colour. Then add the cut bitter gourd to that and fry for some more time. When the bitter gourd change in to light brown colour, add salt, jaggery, red chillie powder and fry for 5 mins. Pour required water and grind masala to that and mix well. Simmer the gas and allow to boil till the gravy becomes thick and dry. Then remove from the gas. Transfer the gravy to other container and allow to become cool. Keep in fridge. Serve with roti, steamed rice, and dosa. Enjoy tasty pavaka thoku.