Bitter Gourd Kadhi

Kakarakaya Challa Majjiga.

Bitter gourd is lightly scraped and chopped and can be boiled till soft or fried till cooked. Besan yogurt mixture is cooked in tempered oil along with cooked bitter gourd till the raw smell of the besan is gone.Served bitter gourd kadhi with steamed rice and dollop of ghee.
Makes: around 4 Servings of Bitter Gourd Kadhi.

Ingredients:

Bitter Gourd 1 Large
Thick Yogurt 1 Cup
Onion 1 Small
Besan 2 – 3 Tbsps
Green Chiles 2 – 3
Turmeric Powder 1/4 tsp
Salt to taste

Talimpu:

Urad Dal 1/4 tsp
Cumin Seeds 1/2 tsp
Mustard Seeds 1/4 tsp
Curry Leaves 6
Broken Red Chiles 4
Oil 2 Tbsps

Method of preparation:

Whisk together yogurt, besan, turmeric powder and salt into smooth mixture with a cup of water.
Lightly scrape, remove ends, wash and chop bitter gourd into small chunks.
Remove stems, wash and slice the green chiles.
Peel and slice the onion.

Heat oil in a pan, add all talimpu ingredients in order.
When urad dal changes color, add bitter gourd pieces and fry on low flame till bitter gourd turns golden brown in color.
Stir in onion and green chiles and fry again till onion turns translucent.
Reserve a spoonful of above mixture for garnish.
Then lower the flame, stir in besan yogurt mixture.
Cook on low flame stirring continuously until raw smell of the besan is gone (around 5 minutes).
If the mixture thickens a lot, add quarter cup of water and bring again to a bubble.
Garnish with reserved bitter gourd mixture and serve bitter gourd kadhi with plain steamed rice and dollop of ghee.
Notes: Make sure to cook the besan yogurt mixture well.

Suggestions: Alternatively, bring around a cup of water to boil, add bitter gourd and salt. Boil till bitter gourd pieces cook and turn translucent before adding to the besan mixture. Adjust the consistency of the kadhi with water.
Variations: You can also garnish with chopped cilantro if you wish.
Other Names: Kakarakaya Challa Majjiga, Bitter Gourd Kadhi.

Ridge Gourd Kadhi

Ridge Gourd Kadhi.

For ridge gourd / turai kadhi, oil is tempered with few whole spices. Ridge gourd is peeled and chopped into small pieces and fried in oil till they cook. Mixture of besan / gram flour and yogurt is prepared and cooked along with ridge gourd. Serve ridge gourd kadhi with steamed rice or with roti.
Makes: Ridge Gourd Kadhi.

Ingredients:

Ridge Gourd 1 Medium
Besan / Gram Flour 3 – 5 Tbsps
Plain Yogurt 1 Cup
Green Chiles 1 – 2
Turmeric Powder a big pinch
Salt to taste
Oil 1 Tbsp

Talimpu:

Mustard Seeds 1/4 tsp
Cumin Seeds 1/4 tsp
Urad Dal 1/4 tsp
Broken Dried Red Chiles 3 – 4
Asafoetida a Big Pinch
Curry Leaves 5
Oil 2 tsps

Method of preparation:

Peel off the thick skin, wash, remove ends and chop the ridge gourd into small pieces.
Remove stems, wash and slice the green chiles.
Whisk yogurt with besan and salt into smooth paste adding around half a cup of water.

Heat oil in a pan, add all other talimpu ingredients in order.
When mustard seeds start spluttering, add green chiles, chopped ridge gourd and salt.
Cook covered on low flame till ridge gourd is soft.
Add a splash of water if required.

Take a big tablespoon of ridge gourd mixture and mix with the whisked yogurt mixture to lower the temperature of the yogurt.

Then stir in the yogurt mixture in to the pan with cooked ridge gourd.
Cook on low flame till yogurt besan mixture thickens or until raw smell of the mixture is gone.
Adjust any seasonings if required and remove from heat.
Garnish with cilantro if desired and serve ridge gourd kadhi with plain steamed rice or with roti.
Notes: Make sure ridge gourd is cooked well before adding the yogurt mixture into the pan.

Suggestions: Vary the consistency of the dish with besan / gram flour. If the yogurt gravy feels raw, cook the mixture on low flame for couple more minutes or until done. Make sure not to add cold yogurt mixture into hot pan.
Variations: Finely chopped onion can also be added along with ridge gourd.
Other Names: Ridge Gourd Kadhi.