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Khatta-Meetha Karela Recipe (Sour N’ Sweet Bitter Gourd) 🥒🌶️
Description: This Khatta-Meetha Karela recipe strikes a delightful balance between sweet and sour flavors, thanks to the combination of jaggery (Gur) and tamarind pulp. It’s a savory dish that’s perfect for lunch or snacks, bringing a burst of Indian flavors to your table. The recipe is easy to follow, making it suitable for beginners and those seeking a quick, flavorful meal.
- Servings: 4
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Category: Lunch/Snacks
- Cuisine: Asian, Indian
- Difficulty: Easy
- Keywords: < 60 Mins, Beginner Cook, Easy
Ingredients:
Quantity | Ingredient |
---|---|
1/2 | Karela (Bitter Gourd) |
2 – 3 | Tamarind pulp |
2 | Salt (divided) |
3 – 4 | Coriander powder |
2 | Cumin seed |
2 | Water |
1/2 | Hing (Asafoetida) |
2 | Gur (Jaggery) |
1 | Cilantro |
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 95.7
- Fat: 7.3g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 1172.4mg
- Carbohydrates: 7.8g
- Fiber: 4.2g
- Sugar: 2.1g
- Protein: 1.6g
Instructions:
-
Preparation:
- Wash the bitter gourd thoroughly under running water to remove any dirt or impurities.
- Use a vegetable scraper or knife to scrape the skin of the bitter gourd, ensuring it’s clean and smooth.
- Make a long slit in the center of each bitter gourd, taking care not to split it into two halves completely.
- Apply a pinch of salt evenly inside the slit, ensuring it coats the inner surface.
-
Stuffing:
- Prepare the stuffing by mixing tamarind pulp, 2 teaspoons of salt, coriander powder, and chili powder in a bowl. Stir well until all ingredients are combined.
- Optionally, add saunf powder (fennel seed powder) to enhance the flavor of the stuffing.
- Fill each bitter gourd with the prepared stuffing mixture, ensuring it’s evenly distributed inside.
-
Cooking:
- Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Add cumin seeds and hing (asafoetida) and allow them to crackle, releasing their aroma.
- Carefully add the stuffed bitter gourd to the pan, arranging them in a single layer.
- Cook the bitter gourd on all sides, turning them occasionally to ensure even cooking. Maintain the heat on low to prevent burning.
- Once the bitter gourd is cooked and tender, remove them from the pan and set aside.
-
Simmering:
- In the same pan, add water to create a flavorful gravy. Cover the pan with a lid to trap the steam and allow the bitter gourd to cook further in the steam.
- Occasionally stir the gravy to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
- Simmer the bitter gourd in the gravy over low heat for 15-20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together and the bitter gourd to absorb the delicious sauce.
-
Final Touch:
- Once the bitter gourd is tender and the gravy has thickened slightly, uncover the pan.
- Add gur (jaggery) to the gravy, stirring well to incorporate it. The gur will melt into the gravy, adding a delightful sweetness that balances the sourness of the tamarind pulp.
- Garnish the Khatta-Meetha Karela with freshly chopped cilantro, adding a burst of color and freshness to the dish.
-
Serving:
- Serve the Khatta-Meetha Karela hot with rotis or your favorite Indian bread. Enjoy the harmonious blend of sweet, sour, and savory flavors in every bite!
This Khatta-Meetha Karela recipe is sure to become a favorite in your home, offering a unique twist on traditional bitter gourd preparations. Whether you’re a beginner cook or an experienced chef, this dish is easy to make and packed with flavor, making it perfect for any occasion.