Best 2 Karela Bitter Melon Or Gourd Recipes
Bitter melon, also known as karela or gourd, is a versatile vegetable that can be used in a variety of dishes. It has a slightly bitter taste, but when cooked properly, it can be a delicious and healthy addition to your diet. Bitter melon is a good source of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, potassium, and iron. It is also a good source of dietary fiber, which can help to promote a healthy digestive system. If you are looking for a new and exciting way to cook bitter melon, here are a few recipes that you might enjoy:
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
KARELA (BITTER MELON OR GOURD)
As the name suggests, karela are bitter but are known to have therapeutic value, especially for those suffering from diabetes. When tomatoes and other vegetables are mixed with it, the bitterness is reduced. Traditionally people first scrape karela and remove the hard skin. Then they rub salt in them and let them rest for about 1 hour. Then they squeeze out bitter water before using. Karela can be used with any meal or in a sandwich or pita bread. You may prepare them in advance, and refrigerate or freeze them. Or you may freeze uncooked karela. Buy them fresh, when in season, and rinse, trim, and cut them before freezing.
Provided by kusum gupta
Categories Melons
Time 30m
Yield 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Rinse bitter melon.
- Trim on both ends as needed and scrape any blemishes or hard skin.
- Cut into small rounds.
- Heat the oil in a skillet on medium-high heat.
- Add karela almost in a single layer; stir and cook until brownish.
- Reduce the heat if they tend to burn.
- Add the onions, potatoes and all the seasonings; stir until the potatoes are cooked.
- Add the tomatoes.
- Cook slowly on medium low heat, half covered, stirring as needed, until everything is cooked.
- Variation: To make STUFFED KARELA: Mix all the seasonings for stuffing, substituting 1 teaspoon cumin powder for cumin seeds.
- Using a paring knife, make a long slit in each karela, from one end to another (leaving two ends and bottom of the pod intact).
- Keep the slit open with your thumb and use a spoon to fill the opening with the stuffing.
- Stuff all the karela this way.
- Cook karela in a wide skillet using 2 tablespoons oil, almost in a single layer, on medium heat.
- Stir gently so that stuffing does not come out.
- When half cooked, add the onions.
- Reduce heat to medium low, cooking slowly, half covered or uncovered, until karela are browned.
NO-FRY KARELA CRISPIES (BITTER MELON)
I was horrified, then fascinated, then in love with this strange (to me) little vegetable dish when I had it mixed with potatoes in a dry curry at my local Indian vegetarian lunch counter. It's a very strong flavor, so if you make this and aren't yet familiar with it, you've been warned! ;o) I haven't yet tried it, but I'm looking around for various bitter melon recipes (aka bitter gourd).
Provided by Sandi From CA
Categories Lunch/Snacks
Time 55m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to about 375°F.
- Wash the bitter melon and slice them using a mandolin slicer into thin round slices.
- Mix with salt, turmeric and chilli powder and marinate for about 1/2 an hour. Squeeze excess moisture out.
- Spread foil on a baking tray and grease it with about a tbsp oil. Toss the bitter melon slices with 2 tbsp oil and spread them on the baking tray.
- Bake for about 5-7 mins and then broil it for 7 minutes Depending on the type of your oven, the broiling might be a few mins more or less. Crispy Karela -- without frying!
Tips:
- Choose the right bitter melon: Look for small to medium-sized bitter melons with a deep green color and firm texture. Avoid those that are large, pale, or have soft spots.
- Prepare the bitter melon properly: To reduce the bitterness, cut the bitter melon in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds and pith. You can also blanch the bitter melon in boiling water for a few minutes before cooking.
- Use a variety of cooking methods: Bitter melon can be stir-fried, sautéed, steamed, or deep-fried. Each cooking method will produce a different flavor and texture, so experiment to find your favorite way to cook it.
- Add other ingredients to balance the bitterness: Bitter melon pairs well with sweet, sour, and salty flavors. Try adding ingredients like sugar, honey, tamarind, or fish sauce to your bitter melon dishes.
- Serve bitter melon with rice or noodles: Bitter melon is a great addition to rice or noodle dishes. It can also be served as a side dish or appetizer.
Conclusion:
Bitter melon is a unique and flavorful vegetable that offers a variety of health benefits. If you're looking for a new and exciting way to add more vegetables to your diet, give bitter melon a try. With its slightly bitter taste and crunchy texture, it's sure to become a new favorite.
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