Bitter Gourd or Bitter Melon Curry

Bitter Gourd is the only vegetable, which I disliked with a passion when I was growing up!!
But today, my kitchen has a dish made out of Bitter Gourd atleast once a week if not more!!!

Bitter Gourd or Bitter Melon as its name suggests is a vegetable which is bitter in taste.    
It is consumed mostly in asian countries, cooked with a blend of different spices to suit the individuals’ palate! 
The health and nutritional benefits of this vegetable surpasses the bitterness and should be consumed atleast once a week!  

It is a traditional vegetable which may be the basis of a new drug for type 2 diabetes according to a recent research.  Bitter Gourd juice is a natural wonder medicine for diabetes!

Ingredients 

4  Small  or 2 Large Bitter Gourd
¼ Tsp. Turmeric Powder
¼ Tsp. Asafoetida Powder
2 Tbs. Extracted Tamarind Juice
¾ Tsp. Brown Sugar or Powdered Jaggery
5-6 Tbs. Oil
1 Tsp. Mustard Seeds
2 Tsp. Sambhar Powder
1 -2 Tsp. Salt

Preparation of  Bitter Gourd Curry

Cut the vegetable into half and remove the seeds and chop it into small pieces
Add a tablespoon of water, turmeric powder, extracted tamarind juice and brown sugar or jaggery.
Microwave it on high for 6-7 minutes.

Heat the oil in a pan and add the mustard seeds.
When the mustard seeds crackle, add the cooked bitter gourd and the asafoetida powder
Turn it over gently and fry it with the lid open for 7-8 minutes on a medium flame.
Add the sambhar powder and fry it for 4-5 minutes

The curry is ready to be served when the water has been absorbed and it has a slightly crispy texture.

Note:  The vegetable can be also be cooked directly in a pan with quarter cup of water – covered with a lid and cooked till tender, which will generally take more than 15 minutes