Pavakka - Tomato curry

Bitter gourd & Tomato Curry

Ingredients:-

Pavakka/ Bitter Gourd   chopped – 1 cup

Tomato chopped – 1

Onion chopped – 1 medium

Turmeric powder – ½ tsp

Green chillies  chopped – 3-4

Ginger – a small piece

Garlic – 3-4 cloves

Thin coconut milk – 1 ½ cup

Salt to taste

Oil

Curry leaves

Dry  red chilies

How to make Pavakka – Tomato Charu curry

In a bowl put the chopped Pavakka/bitter gourd with 2 cups of water and squeeze the vegetable well and set aside. This would help reduce the bitter taste to some extent.

Pound Ginger and garlic in a mortar & pestle, or blender and set aside

Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds. When they pop up add dry red chilies and stir fry for 30 seconds

Now add chopped onion and curry leaves and sauté well for 4-5 minutes and add ginger and garlic, stir fry it for 3 minutes

Stir in the Pavakka/Bitter gourd pieces  and fry it for 7-8 minutes ,until they start to turn golden.

Add the chopped tomatoes , green chilies,turmeric powder and salt. Combine well and add the coconut milk.

Cook it covered on a low flame for 5-6 minutes. Uncover it and add a tsp of oil and simmer for a minute.Remove from fire and serve warm·Excellent with Rice.