ಹಾಗಲಕಾಯಿ ಪಲ್ಯ ~ Bitter Gourd Palya

Bitter Gourd Palya

Many will be horrified knowing that there is a dish/palya made by bitter gourd on the menu  :), some people just avoid it to have because of its bitterness, so much of circus is done to reduce its bitterness like washing it after chopping/keeping it adding salt & then squeezing it completely/by adding so many spices, but what i feel is in doing so it only makes it more bitter, so one need to be cool with it, since the nature of bitter gourd is bitter itself, one must not expect it to be sweet like honey, right ? 

This is one simple method, it tastes good.

Ingredients :

Bitter gourd : 3 -4 

Onion : 1- 2

Tomato : 1- 2 

Green/Red chillies : 4 -5 (depends)

Fresh grated coconut : 1/2 cup (can be varied)

Jaggery : 1 - 2 tsp (depends)

Curry leaves, coriander leaves : few

Urad, Channa dal : 1/2 tsp each

Seasoning : mustard seeds, jeera

Oil : 1tbsp

Salt : to the taste

ಅಕ್ಕಿ ತಾಲಿಪಟ್ಟು ~ Akki Thalipeeth

 Akki Masala Rotti

Akki Masala rotti is a well known dish in Karnataka, it can be made for breakfast or evening snacks, it is delicious.

Ingredients :

Rice flour : 2 cups

Carrot : 1 - 2

Onion :1  - 2

Menthya/Fenugreek leaves : 1 - 2 cups chopped

Green chillies : to the taste

Curry & Coriander leaves : few

Salt : to the taste

Turmeric : 2 pinch

Oil 

ಕಾಯಿ ಹಾಲು ~ Kai Halu

 Kai Halu

Kai Halu is commonly had with Holigey/Obbattu, Kadabu or Shavige, with Idli & Dosa too as a sweet side dish. Its very simple to make & its delicious.

Ingredients :
Grated Fresh coconut : 1 cup
Milk : 1 - 2 cups
Poppy seeds : 1 - 2 Tbsp
Cardamom : 2 -3
Jaggery : 1/2 - 1 cup (depends on the main dish's level of sweet)

Spicy Bitter Gourd Wheels

This is a easy to make, good for health item. Can be had as a side dish for dinner or lunch.

Ingredients:

• bitter gourd
• onion
• green chilly
• curry leaves
• turmeric powder
• mustard
• jeera
• salt
• oil

Method:
1. Chop onion and chilly into small pieces
2. Chop gourds into thin slices (thinner than shown here)
3. As you slice them, drop the pieces into salt-water (this will reduce bitterness)
4. Keep slices in salt-water for two minutes and take them out
5. Shallow fry slices in a pan on medium flame, once the pan is hot turn flame to low.

6. Stop frying when pieces turn golden brown.

7. Prepare masala by shallow frying jeera, mustard, curry leaves, chilly and onion.

8. Add bitter gourd slices to masala and cook on low flame until the slices are slightly crispy.
9. Add turmeric powder and salt to taste and mix well. Turn off flame and allow to cool.

Do not close the vessel for 5 to 8 minutes - this will let moisture escape and slices remain crisp.

Instead of green chilly, you can use red chilly powder too, add it while adding salt and turmeric.

Would be good to have it while its still warm. Tastes good even its cool - can be packed in a box for lunch.
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Capsicum Yennagai ` ದೋಣ್ಣ ಮೆಣಸಿನಕಾಯಿ ಎಣಗಾಯಿ

Capsicum Yennagai

Yennagai made using Capsicum makes another tasty side dish. This is another delicious North Karnataka dish, here I am using capsicum that are found in North Karnatak, these have thin skin & are spicy/hot than the peppers found in South.

These capsicums definitely makes a spicy dish..

Ingredients :

Small Capsicums : 5 - 6 

Onion : 2

Garlic : 4 -5 cloves

Uchhellu pudi/Niger seeds powder: 1tsp

Roasted groundnut : 2 tsp

Poppy seeds : 1 - 2 tsp

Sesame seeds : 1 - 2 tsp

Jeera : 1/2 tsp

Grated coconut :  1 Tbsp (optional)

Curry, Coriander leaves  : few

Jaggery : to the taste

Tamarind juice : to the taste

Salt

Oil