Masaledar Karele :Vegetarian

Ingredients :

• 3 karele
• 2 green chillies
• ½ tsp ginger, grated
• ½ tomato, chopped
• 4 to 5 tamarind pieces
• 1 stalk curry leaves
• 2 to 3 sprigs coriander, chopped
• ½ tsp each mustard & cumin seeds
• 1 tbsp molasses or sugar
• 1 ½ tsp red chilli powder
• 1 tsp dhania powder
• ¼ tsp turmeric powder
• ¼ tsp garam masala
• 2 to 3 pinches asafoetida
• Salt to taste
• 1 tbsp oil
• Sour buttermilk to soak karele

Method :

Slice bitter gourd into thin discs. Soak in sour buttermilk for 4-5 hours.
Drain, wash, sprinkle liberally with salt. Keep aside for 1 hour.
Rub slices well with hand, wash and drain.
Boil in water till soft to touch, drain, wash again, drain, keep aside.
Heat oil in a heavy pan, add seeds, asafoetida, allow to splutter.
Add curry leaves, ginger, tomato, chillies, tamarinds pieces. Stir.
Mix all dry masalas in ½ cup water to form a paste, add to pan.
Cook till oil separates, add karele slices. Stir, add molasses.
Stir and simmer for 3-4 minutes. Garnish with chopped coriander.
Serve hot.