Do try our easy to make Karela recipes.

Besan Stuffed Karela

Servings - 2 - 3

INGREDIENTS
Bitter gourd - 250 grams
Salt
Oil - 2 tablespoons
Cumin - 1 teaspoon
Asafoetida - 1/8 teaspoon
Ginger paste - 1 teaspoon
Gram flour - 35 grams
Coriander powder - 2 teaspoons
Fennel powder - 2 teaspoons
Turmeric - 1/2 teaspoon
Dry mango powder - 1 teaspoon
Red chili - 1/4 teaspoon
Salt - 1 teaspoon
Oil - 80 millilitre

PREPARATION
1. Take 250 grams bitter gourd and wash them. Cut, peel and chop the gourds. Remove the stalk from both ends and rub the knife to scrap the skin. Slit in the center keeping it joined at the back. Cut the gourd and remove off the seeds and pith from it.
2. Take some salt and use 1/2 teaspoon salt from it. Apply some salt inside and outside the gourd. Keep the salt coated gourd aside for 30 minutes.
3. Take the scrap and pith in a separate bowl and add 1/4 teaspoon to it and mix. Keep aside the scraps as well and after 30 minutes wash them.
4. Wash the gourds nicely to remove the salt. Squeeze off the water from the gourds and place them in a plate. Wash the salt coated gourd scrap and pith as well. Sieve it like this with a strainer.
5. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a pan, add 1 teaspoon cumin, 1/8 teaspoon asafoetida, 1 teaspoon ginger paste and saute for 2 - 3 minutes.
6. Add 35 grams gram flour and roast until it changes in color.
7. Now, add the washed scrap and pith into it and mix well.
8. Add 2 teaspoons coriander powder, 2 teaspoons fennel powder, 1/2 teaspoon turmeric, 1 teaspoon dry mango powder, 1/4 teaspoon red chili, 1 teaspoon salt and mix it well.
9. Transfer this mixture into a bowl and allow it to cool.
10. Open the gourd and stuff it with this mixture. Press gently and close nicely.
11. Heat 80 millilitre oil in a pan, add the stuffed bitter melon in it and cover it with a lid.
12. Cook for 5 - 7 minutes, flip the sides of bitter melon and cook from all the sides until they get brown in color.
13. When they are roasted from all sides turn off the heat.
14. Serve.

Honey Stuffed Karela

Servings - 2 - 3

INGREDIENTS
Bitter gourd - 500 grams
Salt - 1 teaspoon
Water - 2.5 litres, divided
Tamarind - 100 grams
Onions - 150 grams
Mint - 20 grams
Green chili - 3
Cumin - 1 teaspoon
Salt - 1 teaspoon
Honey - for coating
Oil - for frying
PREPARATION
1. Clean and slit the bitter gourd from center.
2. Remove the seeds from inside carefully.
3. Transfer this into a bowl, add 1 teaspoon salt and mix it well.
4. Rest for 30 minutes.
5. Add 1 litre water in it and wash it properly.
6. Heat 1.5 litres water in a heavy skillet, add 100 grams tamarind and mix it well.
7. Bring it to a boil.
8. Now, add the washed bitter gourds in it and Cover it with lid.
9. Boil for about 10 minutes on medium heat.
10. Remove from heat and drain the bitter gourds. Keep aside.
11. In a blender, add 150 grams onions, 20 grams mint, 3 green chili, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon salt and blend it into a smooth puree.
12. Take the bitter gourd and spread honey inside it.
13. Fill it with prepared mixture.
14. Now, take a thread and move around the bitter gourd to close it properly.
15. Heat sufficient oil in a skillet and shallow fry these until it turns dark brown in color from all sides.
16. Remove it from heat.
17. Serve hot with roti