Pavakkai poriyal (Bittergourd poriyal)

Ingredients:

1. Bittergourd - 1/4 kg
2. Tamarind - 1 small lime size (tamarind extract - 2 tablespoons)
3. Red Chilly powder - 1.5 teaspoons
4. Turmeric powder - 1/2 teaspoons
5. Salt to taste
6. Jaggery (optional) - 1 teaspoon or according to individual taste
7. Cut onion - 3 tablespoons
8. Oil - 2 tablespoon
9. Mustard - 3/4 teaspoon
10. Urad dhal - 1.5 teaspoons
11. Curry leaves - 7 leaves

Procedure:

• Wash and cut the bittergourd
• Drain the water completeley and mix with tamarind, turmeric, jaggery (optional), salt and chilly powder together
• Pressure cook for 2 whistles and remove the excess water (to avoid bitterness)
• Heat a pan and season with oil, mustard, urad dhal and curry leaf
• Add onion to the pan till it becomes glossy
• Now add the bittergourd (cooked) to the pan and sautee for 10 minutes using low flame
• (optional) Add the coconut powder substitute for diabetics (Recipe is in the blog)

Instead of the coconut substitute poweder, you can use the following:

• Grind 4 tablespoons coconut and 1 teaspoon jeera, 2 pods of garlic coarsely and add to the cooked bittergourd in the pan
• Roast it for 5 more minutes using low flame