Kakarakaya stuffed (karela/bitter gourd)

  

 

 

Ingredients:

           8 or 10 bitter gourd (karela)

     I med onion chopped
     2 pods garlic (optional)
     1 tsp chili powder
     Salt to taste
     ½ tsp amchur
     2 tsp karela masala*

Directions:

    

  1.   Slit the karela lengthwise. Arrange in a microwave safe pan.   Sprinkle a little water,            

cover and microwave for 3 to 5 minutes till karela are slightly soft.                                   

2.   Remove the seeds, if the seeds are big and tough.

3.   Grind onion and other ingredients (without water) into a paste.

4.   Fry the onion paste in a little oil till the onion is cooked.

5.   Fill the karela with the mixture. 

6.   Heat 2 or 3 tsp of oil in a flat frying pan.

7.   Arrange the karela so that the mixture does not come out.

8.   Cook on medium or low heat for 5 to 6 minutes turning the karela from time to time taking care to see that the karela are not mashed.

9.   When the karela is nice and soft and the skin is browning, the subzi is ready.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Karela masala

      1 tsp saumpf (fennel seeds)

     1 tsp dhania seeds (coriander seeds)
     ½ tsp kalonji
     ¼ tsp methi (fenugreek)

Roast all the ingredients without oil till they give out a nice aroma.  Grind them coarse. This masala can be stored for a longtime. It reduces the cooking time considerably, if you store the masala.