Bitter Gourd / Pavakka Pulinkari (Pulincurry)

Ingredients:

200 gm bitter gourd / pavakka / kaipakka

small lemon sized tamarind

1 onion, sliced

2 tbsp garlic, sliced

1 medium tomato, chopped

1/4 tsp turmeric powder

1 1/2 tsp chilli powder

1 tsp coriander powder

2 tsp sambar powder

1 tsp jaggery

salt to taste

1/2 tsp mustard seeds

1/2 tsp fenugreek seeds

1/2 tsp cumin seeds

2 dry red chillies

1 sprig curry leaves

4-5 tbsp oil

Preparation:

1. Soak tamarind in 1/2 cup of water, extract its juice and keep it aside.
2. Wash and slice bitter gourd into thin rounds.
3. Heat oil in a pan and fry the sliced bitter gourd till crispy adding little salt at medium flame. Keep it aside.
4. In the same pan, add mustard seeds, fenugreek seeds, cumin seeds, dry red chillies and curry leaves and saute.
5. Add sliced garlic and onion and saute well.
6. Add chopped tomato and saute well till soft.
7. Add turmeric powder, chilli powder, coriander powder and sambar powder and mix well.
8. Add tamarind water, 1 1/2 cup of water and salt and boil well till the gravy thickens.
9. Then add fried bitter gourd and jaggery and mix well and cook for 2-3 minutes.
10. Remove from the flame and serve with rice...