Masala Deep Fried Bittergourd

Masala Deep Fried Bittergourd.

Bitter gourd is slightly scraped and deep fried in oil till golden brown in color. It is the layered with fresh mix of powdered spices. Serve masala deep fried bitter gourd with steamed rice and dollop of ghee.
Makes: around 4 Servings of Masala Deep Fried Bittergourd.

Ingredients:

Bitter Gourd 4
Coriander Powder 1/4 tsp
Cumin Powder 1/8 tsp
Turmeric Powder 1/8 tsp
Red Chili Powder 1 tsp
Garlic 2 Cloves
Salt to Taste

Method of preparation:

Peel and grate the garlic cloves onto a bowl.
Stir in coriander powder, cumin powder, turmeric powder, red chili powder and salt into grated garlic bowl.
Slightly scrape, wash and remove little bit of both ends of the bitter gourd.
Cut the bitter gourd into halves vertically.
If the bitter gourd is long, halve the slices horizontally.

Heat oil in a pan on medium heat for deep frying.
Carefully add the quartered bitter gourds and deep fry till the bitter gourd turns golden in color.
Remove the deep fried bitter gourd onto absorbent paper.
Once warm enough to handle, layer few pinches of the garlic masala powder on the deep fried bitter gourd.
Repeat the same with any remaining bitter gourd pieces.
Serve masala deep fried bitter gourd with steamed rice and dollop of ghee.
Notes: Make sure oil doesn’t get too hot while deep frying bitter gourd.

Suggestions: Adjust spice with red chili powder. If desired, discard few of the bitter gourd seeds before deep frying.
Variations: Check other variations of bitter gourd like moong stuffed bitter gourd here.
Other Names: Masala Deep Fried Bittergourd.

Masala Stuffed Bitter Gourd

Masala Stuffed Bitter Gourd.

Small bitter gourds are salted and slightly cooked. They are then stuffed with onion and masala mixture. Stuffed bitter gourds are then fried in little bit of oil till golden brown. Serve masala stuffed bitter gourd with plain steamed rice and with dal rice and ghee.
Makes: 3 Masala Stuffed Bitter Gourd.

Ingredients:

Bitter Gourd 3 Small
Onion 1 Medium
Tamarind 2 inch Piece
Ginger Garlic Paste 1/2 tsp
Garam Masala Powder 1 tsp
Red Chili Powder 1/2 tsp
Cumin Powder 1/4 tsp
Turmeric Powder 1/4 tsp
Salt to Taste
Oil 2 Tbsps

Method of preparation:

Peel and finely chop the onion.
Soak tamarind in few tablespoons of water.
Remove ends, lightly scrape and wash the bitter gourds.
Slit the bitter gourd in the middle making sure the ends are intact.
Remove seeds and apply few pinches of salt inside and outside.
Leave the salted bitter gourds aside for around half an hour.
Wash the bitter gourds and pressure cook with tamarind water for a whistle.
Strain the cooked bitter gourds and keep aside.

Heat a tablespoon oil in a pan, add chopped onion.
Fry till onion turns translucent and add ginger garlic paste.
Fry briefly and remove onto a bowl.
Add garam masala powder, red chili powder, cumin powder, turmeric powder and salt to the onion in the bowl.
Mix thoroughly and stuff around few tablespoons of onion mixture into each bitter gourd.

Heat a tablespoon of oil in a pan on medium low heat, place the stuffed bitter gourds.
Fry the stuffed bitter gourd till they turn golden brown on all sides.
Serve masala stuffed bitter gourd with plain steamed rice and with dal rice and ghee.
Notes: Make sure bitter gourds are fried well.

Suggestions: Prefer small bitter gourds to ease the stuffing or halve the whole bitter gourd. Leave couple of seeds inside the bitter gourd if desired. Alternatively, steam the salted bitter gourds until they turn soft but whole.
Variations: Check other stuffed bitter gourd recipes here.
Other Names: Masala Stuffed Bitter Gourd.