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Punjabi Karela Sabzi



Here’s this bitterly sweet recipe that I've been dying to share with you.
As a kid there was this one veggie that I have always found super intimidating was – Bitter Gourd.
As years have grown by, I have started liking mom’s Punjabi style karela recipe. Mom was behind me to use it on a regular basis as it helps in controlling blood sugar levels. Did I ever mention that she made me drink bitter gourd juice every morning on an empty stomach to control my blood sugars? Actually it helps. It has plant insulin which brings down your sugar levels.
Back to the recipe…I saw it…I grabbed it....and then I got home, and didn't really know what to do with it. I have always eaten at my Delhi home but never made it myself. Googled but wasn’t very sure. One international call, jotted the recipe on back of the grocery bill and decided to make it instantly.

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Ingredients
Bitter Gourd/ Karela 2
Chopped onions (1 medium size)
Chopped tomatoes (2 medium size)
Crushed garlic
Chopped ginger
Slit green chillies (2)
Red chilli powder 1 teaspoon
Garam masala powder 1 tespoon
Cumin/Jeera 1 teaspoon
Salt to taste
Sun flower oil 2 tablespoons



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Directions
Cut thin rounds of bitter gourd. Shallow fry them in a pan with 2-3 teaspoon of oil. Place it on a plate with paper towels till the excess oil drains out.




For the fried masala

Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a pan (I used the same pan again), add cumin seeds, wait for the aroma and add onions and sauté till brown.
Add ginger-garlic. Sauté for 3 minutes. Add tomatoes, followed by salt, chilli powder, garam masala. Give a good stir. Don’t add water as the gravy needs to be thick.
Transfer shallow fried bitter gourd and simmer for 4-5 minutes.


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I would totally recommend this to someone who is looking for some different taste and who likes bittersweet taste. The edges were just a bit crisp, but the whole of it was moist. Hubby later made some karela chips that went well with curd rice.
Considering the health factor, I would make it again.


Comments

  1. Karela curry is yummy...first time here,come to know from budding bloggers,do visit my blog
    http://premascooking.blogspot.com

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  2. Nice blog dear, will keep checking. Please do check my blog too :)

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  3. Hi Srivandya,

    First time to ur blog ... nice recipe..personally i dont like karela but it is my hubby favorite vegetable : )

    Nice to know about you and i love cooking and blogging too...

    If you get time do visit my blog
    http://superyummyrecipes.blogspot.com/

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  4. Wow! This looks so...tempting....and guilt free too :)

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  5. @Premalatha, thank you for dropping by. Checked your awesome blog. Bookmarked!

    @Priya, i just checked your blog. Love Rajasthani dishes...spicy and tangy.

    @Satya,I just commented on your blog. Very different yet indianised recipes.

    @Munchmany,love to see your comments.

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  6. Karela curry look yummy!!
    Lovely collection of beautiful dishes u have.Do visit mine when time permits.. http://padhuskitchen.blogspot.com/

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  7. @Padhu, thankyou for stopping. I'll surely visit your space.

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  8. I am a die hard fan of karela, anything bitter I love it. This is a perfect curry...sounds quite interesting to me, thanks for sahring:)

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  9. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  10. You have interesting and cute space dear. All the very best. Will keep following u:)

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  11. hey nice curry..never tried this way..first time to ur blog. love the layout and the collection of recipes. Will be dropping in frequently.

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  12. @Mythreyi & Deepa,
    thank you for stopping by.

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  13. I love karela and am always excited by new ways of making it. Your recipe looks so delicious and tempting, I am going to get some karela soon to try it out!

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  14. Karela was very very tasty n it wasn't bitter. Very nice recepie:)

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  15. I've never made karela sabzi as I was always scared of trying to cook it. I came across your recipe yesterday and I tried it today. It turned out absolutely delicious! Thank you for the recipe :) I'll definitely be making it again.

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  16. Wow...I was searching for a karela recipe on net browsing through the pictures that looked yummiest. ..found this recipe and made it for mamma and abba, to help with their sugar levels. Tasted very yummy, they both loved it.will be making it again . Thank you
    P.s. my first time making karela

    ReplyDelete
  17. Wow...I was searching for a karela recipe on net browsing through the pictures that looked yummiest. ..found this recipe and made it for mamma and abba, to help with their sugar levels. Tasted very yummy, they both loved it.will be making it again . Thank you
    P.s. my first time making karela

    ReplyDelete
  18. I made karela for the first time with your recipe.Made it for my parents to help with their sugar levels . They both loved it and it tasted yummy . Thank you for the recipe. Will be definitely making it again.

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  19. wow! i found blog today. good blog ! kerela dish so healty indian dish. i wil try. looks for spicy indian recipe. thankyou for shearing this information with us
    !chowringhee recipes

    ReplyDelete

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