Bitter gourd tamarind curry / பாவக்காய் புளி குழம்பு

It is a tangy,spicy and slightly sweet gravy.This one is my mom’s signature dish and one among my favorite dishes.

Ingredients:

• 3 nos – Bitter gourd (pavakkai)
• 10 nos – Sambar onion(small onion)
• 1 or 2 – Green chili
• 1 no –Tamarind (gooseberry)
• 1/4 tsp – Turmeric powder
• 2 tsp – Red chili powder
• 1 tbsp – Jaggery
• 1 cup - Water
• Salt as needed

Seasonings:

• 2 tsp – Oil
• 1/4 tsp – Mustard seeds
• 4 or 5 – Curry leaves

Preparation method:

1. Chop bitter gourd (little bigger pieces) and  small onions.Soak tamarind in warm water and squeeze of the pulp.Keep it aside.
2. Heat a pan add small onions, green chili, bottle gourd, turmeric, red chili powder, tamarind juice,water and required salt cover with lid and cook for 10 minutes or until bitter gourd cooks.
3. Simmer until gravy is thickened.Finally add jaggery and switch off the stove after 2 minutes.
4. Heat oil in a pan,splutter mustard and curry leaves. Add this seasoning to the Bitter gourd mixture. Serve hot with white rice and paruppu(dhal).

Notes :

• There is another way of preparing this dish where you have to pressure cook bitter gourd,onion,green chili,tamarind juice,red chili powder,turmeric,water and salt for up to 2 whistle.
• Season it with mustard,split black gram and curry leaves.Then add bitter gourd mixture along with jaggery and cook until gravy is thickened.