Bitter gourd Sambar / Pavakka Sambar.

 Bitter gourd sambar / Pavakka sambar is a tasty curry goes well with steamed rice, dosa, idli and appam.

The following ingredients are needed to prepare Bitter Gourd Sambar / Pavakka Sambar.

Ingredients:-

Masoor dal.          -1 cup
Bitter gourd.         -1
Potato.                  -1 medium
Lady's finger.       -10
Tomato.                -1
Tamarind.             -a goosebery size
Turmeric powder. -1/4 tsp + 1/4 tsp
Red chilli powder.-1/2 tsp
Coriander powder.-1tsp
Sambar powder.    -1tbsp
Asafoetida.            -1/2 tsp
Mustard seeds.      -1tsp
Cumin seeds.         -1/2 tsp
Green chillies.       -2
Curry leaves.         -1sprig
Coriander leaves.  -few
Salt.                       -to taste
Water.                    -as required
Coconut oil.        -1/2 tsp + 1tbsp

Instructions:-

1). Wash bitter gourd and cut it into two halves lengthwise and remove the seeds.Chop the bitter gourd halves into small pieces. Remove the outer skin of potato and chop it into small pieces.

2). Wash masoor dal and pressure cook masoor dal along with chopped bitter gourd pieces, chopped potato pieces, 1/4 tsp turmeric powder and 1/2 tsp coconut oil for 2 whistles. Keep aside the cooked masoor dal bitter gourd potato mixture.

3). Wash lady's finger. Cut and remove both the ends of lady's finger and chop it into small round pieces. Chop tomato into small pieces. Finely chop few coriander leaves.

4). Soak tamarind in 1/2 cup of warm water for few minutes. Then squeeze the soaked tamarind and make tamarind juice.Keep aside the tamarind juice.

Method:-

1). Heat 1tbsp coconut oil in a wide bottom pan and splutter mustard seeds and cumin seeds.Add green chillies and curry leaves into the pan and saute in oil for a second.

2). Add chopped lady's finger pieces and required salt into the pan and saute well for 2 minutes on low flame.

3). Add chopped tomatoes into the pan and saute well till soft.

4). Add red chilli powder, turmeric powder and coriander powder into the pan and mix well.

5. Add cooked masoor dal bitter goud potato mixture and tamarind juice into the pan.Mix well and boil on low flame.

6). Add sambar powder and asafoetida into the pan and mix well without lumps.Boil and cook the sambar for 2 minutes on low flame and switch off the flame. Add finely chopped few coriander leaves into the sambar. Transfer the sambar to a serving bowl.

A very tasty Bitter Gourd Sambar / Pavakka Sambar is ready to serve hot.