Recipe : Pitlai
Ingredients
- 2 med bitter gourds ("karela")
- 3/4 can chickpeas
- 1/2 cup cooked toovar dal
- 3 green chillies slit
- 1 1/2 tspn tamarind paste
- 3-4 red dry chillies
- 2 tspns urad dal
- 1 1/2 tspn coriander seeds
- 1/2 cup grated coconut
- few peppercorns
- a little jaggery or sugar
- turmeric, salt to taste
- mustard seeds, curry leaves, oil for seasoning
Method
Slit bitter gourd into four quarters and cut 1/2 inch thick pieces across.
In a little oil, saute cut bitter gourd and green chillies.
Add 2 cups water, tamarind, turmeric and salt. Let simmer until bitter gourd are tender. Add chickpeas and jaggery/sugar.
While bitter gourd are cooking, in another pan sprinkle a little oil and fry coriander seeds, urad dal, red chillies and peppercorns until well roasted. Add coconut, stir a min or two and then grind in a blender. Add a little tomato paste if handy for color.
Blend in cocunut paste into the bitter gourd-tamarind mixture. Add the dal. Mix well and reheat a till it begins to simmer. Take off stove.
Pour seasoning on top.
Author :
Unknown, Someone on the NET
