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Bitter Gourd Curry

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Before i talk about Bitter Gourd Curry that i made from Sukham Ayu, i really want to dwell on the past week.It s been a hectic week or rather weekend for me. Or shall i say sleepless? Mr.P has fallen in love. No.. not in that sense. But he has fallen for a huge compressor which failed on a friday night. Now this is what i ll call perfect sense of timing. And thats one more reason i dont believe that machines dont have a mind of their own. They have a mind that works like a charm. The only catch being they choose to work and not work at very inconvenient times just like last friday.
   So while Mr.P romanced with his new found love and complimented her on its bearings and couplings, i was at home, feeling miserable and jobless. Seriously, even the pigeons outside were telling me that i must snap out of it. I was so miserable i landed up watching Chronicles of Narnia Part 1. Even my farthest neighbour back home knows that i ve watched the movie 11 times. So last saturday was the 12th time. I sat through the entire movie with a big tub of pop corn. And some chips. Not the multigrain or diet ones. Mind you! The real deep fried ones. I was binge eating at this point. That s how far i had gotten to. At one point, i even started feeling jealous about the compressor which was getting to spend my treasured sundays with my very treasured Mr.P.
   Anyway, you must be glad to know that the affair has ended. And i ve Mr. P back to me. So while misery washed away, guilt consuming the 3 bags of cheese and onion chips crept in. Like a panther about to pounce on its prey. My.. the feeling is creepy. Believe me. So, this morning, i woke up feeling so guilty that it would have made Voldermort look good. Thus my day began. Well it also began with 2 other revelations.
1. Today is the first tuesday – Time for cook book reviews
2. I was not in a great mood to cook.
While the first one was a truly fantastic feeling, i must admit that while the second one sinked in, the first one dint look very appealing or amusing either.
But like i said, everyone had finished telling me that i must snap out of the utopian world where there are only lazy people like me. And so, i did venture out of that wonderful wonderful world and boy! i m glad that i did. Only when i stepped into my kitchen, did i realise that life for me, cannot exist without those beautiful aromas and vibrant colors from the kitchen.
    After frantic searching for a cook book to cook from, i decided on the Sukham Ayu by Jigyasa and Prathiba. This book is very close to my heart as it was a giveaway that i won.
         If you ask me to summarise the book in a single line, i ll tell you that the book is simply splendid. It has every aspect of the ayurveda ways of eating covered. Atleast what a lay man must know on food. And i must say the authoresses have done a brilliant job in telling the whole world that Indian Cuisine is the most balanced way of eating a lot and still remaining healthy.
       The book has sections of the classification of body types into vata, kapa etc. And it goes on to suggest meals for every body type along with an explanation as to why we should eat that way. Honestly, this is what makes the book stand out in that aisle of cook books in a book store.
         Recipes featured are completely indian and can all be made with regular ingredients that we have at hand. The book has a comprehensive list of recipes and include indianised soups, simple and healthy pulaos and rice recipes, some amazing lentil stews and scrumptious accompaniments and vegetable medleys.
         The dessert section is also very intriguing with choices of carrot kheer and dates kheer. I would love to try the dates kheer soon. Tagged by me are recipes for cabbage kofta, tangy amti and masala poori. I actually thought that its the street food masala poori that they have, when i was glancing through the recipe index. But i was in for a surprise. It s the usual filling lunch pooris with a twist. And that will soon be tried. When Mr. P s strictly no deep fried regime ends, that is. The brahmi chutney was another rare one in the book. In short i can say, that it s a book which has been written thoughtfully. And it will definitely make you drool. No doubt on that. The authoresses only prove with this book that tasty food doesnt always mean unhealthy food.
I tried the cabbage kofta and the tangy bitter gourd curry from the book. It shall be the bitter gourd s day today. Thanks to hunger pangs and impatience on the day the cabbage kofta was conjured up.



Recipe For Bitter Gourd Curry
( You can substitute the gourds with raw plantains or lady s finger.Cook the plantains for about 3 to 4 mins before you add them. In case you are using lady s fingers, then dont add any water. The jaggery can be avoided in case of plantain or okra. But you must add jaggery in case of bitter gourds. The peanuts are a lovely addition and add some more in case you like the crunch. But make sure you add them just before you serve or they go soggy.)  


Ingredients

Bitter gourds thickly sliced and seeds removed 1 cup
Onions 2 medium thinly sliced
Oil 3 tsp
Cumin seeds 1/2 tsp
Hing a large
Peanuts roasted and crushed 2 tbsp
Jaggery grated 2 to 3 tbsp
Turmeric powder 1/2 tsp
Chickpea flour/kadala maavu/besan 1 tbsp
Salt to taste

Spice Powders:

Coriander cumin powder 1 tsp
Chili powder 1 tsp
Aamchur powder 1/2 tsp

Garnish:

Cilantro leaves chopped finely 3 tbsp

How to make it?

Heat the oil in a kadai.
Add the cumin seeds. Once they splutter add the onions and saute till they are pink.
Next toss in the bitter gourd slices, combine and saute for 3 mins.
Now, add the spice powders and saute again for 30 secs on low flame. Add the chickpea flour. Combine.
Sprinkle about 2 tbsp of water and cook covered for 10 mins on low flame.
Now, add the grated jaggery and combine well.
Add salt and mix well.
Add the peanuts and cilantro just before serving.

Serve this delicious Bitter Gourd Curry with rotis or parathas or rice and dhal.

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Comments

  5. Archana says

    yummy recipe. waiting for your post on how to get people to subscribe using G+. Have you posted it? I am just getting down with the reader list taht is miles long.In that case I will get down to it by and by. else this is a reminder.

    Reply

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