Karela Muthia Recipe – Steamed Bitter Gourd Dumplings (Gluten-Free & Diabetic-Friendly)

Karela Muthia (Bitter Gourd Steamed Dumplings)
A healthy and tasty Gujarati snack, Karela Muthia is a gluten-free, diabetic-friendly treat that is rich in carbohydrates and low in fat. Grated bitter gourd is mixed with gluten-free flours and a blend of spices, creating a dough that is steamed to perfection. This savory dish can be enjoyed as a snack, appetizer, or even added to a curry for added flavor.

Cuisine: Gujarati
Course: Snack
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients:

• For the dough:

  • 3 Karela (Bitter Gourd/Pavakkai), peeled and grated
  • 4 tablespoons Gram flour (besan)
  • 2 tablespoons Rice flour
  • 2 tablespoons Jowar flour (Sorghum)
  • 1/2 teaspoon Ginger, grated
  • 1/2 teaspoon Garlic, chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon Green Chilli Paste
  • 2 pinches Cooking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon Turmeric powder (Haldi)
  • 1/2 teaspoon Cumin powder (Jeera)
  • 1/2 teaspoon Garam masala powder
  • Salt, to taste

• For tempering:

  • 1 teaspoon Cumin seeds (Jeera)
  • 1/2 teaspoon Mustard seeds (Rai/Kadugu)
  • 1 teaspoon Sesame seeds (Til seeds)
  • 2 Dry Red Chillies
  • Oil, as required

Preparation Time: 5 minutes

Cooking Time: 30 minutes

Serving Size: 4 portions

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Bitter Gourd:

   • Wash and grate the karelas along with their peel. Squeeze out the excess water from the grated karela using your hands and collect the grated greens in a mixing bowl.

2. Make the Dough:

   • Add the besan, jowar flour, rice flour, grated ginger, chopped garlic, green chilli paste, cooking soda, turmeric powder, cumin powder, garam masala powder, and salt to the grated karela. Mix all ingredients well using a whisk.
   • Gradually add water, little by little, to knead the mixture into a firm dough. Be cautious not to add too much water, as the dough should be stiff.

3. Shape the Dumplings:

   • Grease your palms with a little oil and divide the dough into four equal portions. Roll each portion between your hands to shape it into thick logs. Set the shaped logs aside.

4. Steam the Dumplings:

   • Heat water in a steamer (Idli or Dhokla steamer) and place the karela dough logs on the steamer plate. Steam for 15–20 minutes or until the dough is cooked through.
   • Remove the logs from the steamer and let them cool for a few minutes before cutting them into 1-inch pieces.

5. Tempering & Frying:

   • In a tadka pan, heat oil over medium heat. Add cumin seeds, mustard seeds, dry red chilies, and a pinch of asafoetida (optional). Allow them to splutter.
   • Add the steamed muthia pieces to the pan and shallow fry them for 5 to 6 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are golden and crispy.

6. Serve:

   • Serve the crispy Karela Muthia as a healthy snack with a side of Green Chutney. For an extra treat, pair it with a cup of Punjabi Style Espresso Coffee.

Enjoy this nutritious and delicious Gujarati snack, perfect for any time of the day!