Pavakka Theeyal/ Bitter gourd in Roasted Coconut Gravy

Ingredients

Bitter gourd/Pavakka/Kaipakka - 1/2 cup 

Onion - 1/2 of a medium one

Green chillies- 1-2 slit

Tamarind Juice- 1/2 the size of a gooseberry

Dry roasted/Fried coconut -1/2 cup

Red chillies- 2

Curry leaves 

Salt

Mustard

Cooking oil

For Fried/Dry Roasted-coconut (Thenga varuthu arakkan )

Grated coconut - 2 cup (one coconut)

Chlli powder - 2 tbsp

Coriander powder 1 1/2 tbsp

Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp

Heat a pan and dry roast the grated coconut until they turn almost dry. Now add the chilli powder, coriander powder, turmeric powder and stir continuously till the coconut turn reddish brown .Now remove the pan from heat allow to cool.You can keep this in air -tight box in refrigerator for more than one month.



Direction
1. Cut the ends of Bitter gourd/Pavakka/Kaipakka.Cut it in the middle into two halves and again cut it into two length wise.You should have 4 long strips. Remove the seeds and spongy material in the gourd.
2. Put the cut bitter gourd in water for 30 min -1 hr .It helps in reducing the bitterness,then cut it into thin slices
3. Heat oil in a vessel and splutter mustard seeds,Add red chillies, curry leaves,and green chillies.Saute for a minute.
4.Then add the chopped onion and bitter gourd and saute for 5 minutes or until it becomes soft.
5. Add the tamarind juice and cook for 1 minute.
6.Meanwhile grind the fried coconut to a fine paste when it is cool.Grind in a mixer bowl without adding water.When the fried coconut is ground to fine powder add 1/2 cup water and grind again.It will turn into a smooth semi fluid state,
7.Add the ground paste.Cook for 2-3 minutes.Adjust salt.
Serve hot with rice !!

Pavakka /Kaipakka Mezhukkupuratti /Crispy Bitter gourd Stir fry

Ingredients 

Bitter gourd/Pavakka/Kaipakka - 1 or 2 

Onion - half of a medium one

Coconut chips- 2-3 tbsp

Green chillies- 2 split

Chilli powder- 1 tsp

Salt

Cooking Oil

Method

1. Cut the ends of Bitter gourd/Pavakka/Kaipakka.Cut it in the middle into two halves and again cut it into two length wise.You should have 4 long strips. Remove the seeds and spongy material in the gourd.

2. Put the cut vegetable in water for 1 hr .It helps in reducing the bitterness.

3. Then cut it into thin slices. Mix it with sliced onion,salt,red chilli powder and split green chillies.

4. Heat oil in a pan.Add the coconut chips and saute for a few seconds.Add the above mix and saute well in medium heat until its almost cooked.

5. Reduce the heat to low/simmer and saute it in low flame for 5-6 minutes until its crispy. Take care not to burn the onion slices. Crispy bitter gourd will have less bitterness.

Serve hot !!