Thursday, February 23, 2012

Bitterless Bitter-gourd Curry / Hagalakai Palya



I LOVE bitter gourd. Right from the time I was a kid. Mom used to make a gojju/tangy gravy out of it and I’d lick my fingers clean. Everyone would be surprised that a kid can love bitter gourd! Later in school days, I’d share it with my friends and not tell them that it is bitter gourd, and they too would fall in love with it. And when I told them, they’d not believe that bitter gourd can be bitter-less!


Now, my MIL makes this palya out of it, and it is equally tasty. Little niece Hima, no follows my suit and loves it like anything. Her meal would get over in a fraction of usual time, if the menu includes bittergourd palya! And even after a meal, she’ll come with a spoon and take the curry in it to lick it clean!


The secret to remove the bitterness in the bittergourd is to fry it on low flame for quite a bit of time. Alternately, you can soak it in some water mixed with turmeric and salt for some time and then squeeze it, but I’d prefer the former. It does take some time to cook, but the end result is awesome. And it stays for at least a week if refrigerated, so it is well worth the effort.


Here’s the recipe...


Bitterless Bitter-gourd Curry / Hagalakai Palya

Preparation time : 10 min
Cooking time : 45 min

Ingredients:
Bitter gourd / Hagalakai - 5-6 medium sized
Onion - 3-4 medium sized
Cooking oil - 2 Tbsp
Mustard seeds - 1 tsp
Turmeric - ¼ tsp
Curry leaves - 2-3 sprigs
Tamarind paste - 1 Tbsp, thick
Salt - 1½ tsp or as per taste
Jaggery - one medium lime sized ball
Rasam / Sambhar powder - 3 tsp

Method:
• Chop bitter gourd into thin pieces and slice onions into thin slices, vertically
• In a heavy bottomed pan, heat oil and add mustard seeds and allow to splutter
• Add curry leaves, and when they turn crispy, add turmeric
• Add the chopped bitter gourd and sauté it for a couple of minutes
• Put it on low flame and cover and cook for about 25 - 30 minutes, till cooked. Take care not to burn, but sautéing frequently.
• When almost done, add onions and continue cooking for 5 more minutes till the raw smell of onions goes
• Add tamarind paste, salt and crushed jaggery and sauté till the jaggery and salt are dissolved and tamarind water is evaporated
• Add sambhar / rasam powder and mix well and sauté for a few more minutes for the flavors and taste to blend well
• Serve with chapathis / dosas / rice
• When cool, store in a container in fridge

Notes:
• Use a heavy bottomed pan for this, as otherwise the bottom gets charred soon
• Usage of onions is optional - either ways taste different
• Rasam powder or sambhar powder or a mix of both can be used. Each lends a slightly different flavor and tastes equally good



7 comments:

  1. I love bitter-gourd too, hubby will probably have it every alternative day if given a choice! Your palya sounds just perfect, I shall try it over the weekend. Thanks for sharing!

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  2. I am totally opposite to you in this. I almost hate hagalakayi. The only thing I will eat is gojju that too with strong tamarind and jaggery taste. Very nice dish you have got there.

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  3. Love it, Anything with haagalakayi is my favorite.

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  4. Lovely looking one. I also love bitter gourd in a tangy gravy.

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  5. I love hagalaakaayi too! and this recipe is quite similar to the gojju that I make :)

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  6. I tried this today and man was it awesome!! I have always loved Haagalkayi, but not being such a great cook was always afraid to try it out myself..yum yum..thanks Sum

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