Easy Bharwa Karela Masala Recipe | Indian Bitter Gourd Recipe
Babita Singh
This easy bharwa karela masala recipe is a side dish that is prepared by shallow frying of bitter gourd or karela which is then stuffed with onion and spices to give it a spicy and tangy flavor. It tastes delicious and even kids can enjoy it.
First, peel the outer covering of bitter gourd slightly and using a knife create a slit lengthwise carefully. Take all the seeds out from the inside to make it hollow for filling.Now wash them with water and put them in the sunlight for around 1 hour to dry them, or you can just also dry them up with the help of a dry cloth or tissue.
Process of shallow frying of karela
Heat up mustard oil in a pan on low flame and add bitter gourd in it one by one. Shallow fry for 5-7 minutes or until they get cooked well from all sides. Take care to keep turning them around from one to another side for proper frying.Take out the bitter gourd from pan and keep aside.
Process of making stuffing for karela
Add heeng, then coriander powder, fennel seeds powder into the remaining oil in the pan.Then add finely chopped onion, saute for 1-2 minutes on low to medium flame. Add salt, turmeric powder and green chili, saute for another 1-2 minutes. Lastly add cumin powder, dry mango powder, garam masala, and kasoori methi, saute for another 2-3 minutes until the masala is well cooked. Switch off the flame and wait for the masala to cool down.
How to stuff karela
Fill up the masala inside the shallow fried bitter gourd, and they are ready to be served. Enjoy with hot chapatti or steamed rice and dal.
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Notes
1. Try to buy small or medium-sized fresh and green karela.2. After washing, dry them completely otherwise you cannot store them for long.3. Shallow fry karela on low flame only and turning them around for proper cooking.4. Chop onion finely, don't puree them, chopped onion gives a crunchy taste.5. If raw mangoes are available replace dry mango powder with one small-sized chopped raw mango. It enhances the flavour to the next level.6. Leftover stuffed karela can be stored in the refrigerator for 1-2 weeks and when you want to eat, take out and keep them outside for 2-3 hours or just microwave them for 15-20 seconds and enjoy.7. You can also try other stuffing like boiled potato or tomato paste according to your taste but that cannot be stored for a long time.