Pavakka Puli Curry

Pavakka puli curry /white bitter gourd curry is a very tasty, hot and sour bitter gourd gravy made with white bitter gourd, goes well with rice.The recipe is written with step by step method and photos.

The following ingredients are needed to prepare Pavakka Puli Curry / White Bitter gourd Curry

Ingredients:-

White Bitter gourd.-1
Tomato.                  -1
Tamarind.               - a gooseberry size
Coriander powder.  - 3tsp
Turmeric powder.   - 1/4tsp
Sambar powder.      - 1tbsp
Jaggery.                   - 2tsp grated
Mustard seeds.        -1tsp
Methi seeds.            -1/4tsp
Fennel seeds.           - 1/2tsp
Garlic.                      - 3
Shallots.                   - 3
Onion.                      -1
Curry leaves.            -1 spring
Salt.                          - to taste
Coconut oil.              - 2tbsp

Instructions:-

1). Wash and chop bitter gourd into thin round pieces and remove the seeds.Wash and chop tomato into small pieces.Peel, wash and chop onion, shallots and garlic into thin lengthy pieces. Keep all the above ingredients on a plate along with curry leaves.

2). Soak tamarind in 1cup of water and squeeze to extract tamarind juice and keep aside.

3). In a small bowl add sambar powder, coriander powder and turmeric powder. Mix all the spice powders in 1/2 cup of water and keep aside.

Method:-

1). Heat 2 tbsp of oil in a wide bottom pan and slightly fry the bitter gourd slices for 2 minutes on low flame.

2). Remove the fried bitter gourd slices from pan and transfer to a plate.

3). In the same pan splutter mustard seeds.Add methi seeds (fenugreek) and fennel seeds and saute well. Add chopped garlic, shallots, onion and curry leaves into the pan and saute well till onion becomes translucent.

4). Add chopped tomatoes into the pan and saute well for 2 minutes on low flame.

5). Add fried bitter gourd pieces into the pan and saute well.

6). Add required salt and 1cup of tamarind juice into the pan and mix well. Boil for 2 minutes on low flame.

7). Add sambar powder + coriander powder+ turmeric powder mixture into the pan and mix well.Add 1/4 cup of water and boil for 3 minutes on low flame or till the gravy thickens. Mix well and switch off the flame.

8). Transfer the bitter gourd curry to a serving bowl.

Pavakka Puli Curry is ready to serve with rice.