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

Method :

Wash bitter gourd, chop in to slices, if u want u can wash them & squeeze the water. Chop onions, tomatoes in to slices.

Now take a kadai, add oil, add mustard seeds, jeera, when it splutters add urad & channa dal, fry until they turn to golden brown.

Now add chopped green chillies, curry leaves & onion, fry until onion gets cooked. Now add chopped bitter gourd, saute it for few mins, close the lid. Keep it on low flame.

When almost the bitter gourd cooked, add tomatoes, saute for few seconds, sprinkle salt, keep the lid closed, continue to keep it on low flame so there will be no need to add water.

Once the tomato becomes soft add coconut gratings, add salt to the taste, turmeric powder, jaggery to the taste.

Keep the lid closed after mixing altogether thoroughly, keep it on low flame for few mins.

Ready to serve, garnish with coriander leaves.

Nice to have with Roti/Chapati or plain rice too.