Charishma's Stuffed Bittergourds (bhara Karelas)

Total Time: 1 hr 35 mins Preparation Time: 1 hr Cook Time: 35 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 2
• 1/2 kg bitter melon, washed, de-skinned and de-seeded
• 2 teaspoons cumin seeds
• 1 teaspoon red chili powder
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon garam masala powder
• 4 medium onions
• 4 medium tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon fennel seed (saunf)
• 4 tablespoons cooking oil, divided

Recipe

• 1 slit the bittergourds after you de-seed them. transfer to a bowl with 2 tsps of salt and 2 tsps of turmeric powder. apply this on the bittergourds and keep aside for 1 hour. this will take away the bitterness of the bittergourds. wash thoroughly before using them in the recipe as follows.
• 2 shallow fry the bittergourds in oil until lightly browned. remove from heat and keep aside.
• 3 in another pot, heat oil and add cumin seeds once the oil is hot.
• 4 allow to crackle. once that stops, fold in the onions. saute until browned.
• 5 fold in all the spices and fennel seeds followed by the chopped tomatoes.mix well. cook until softened.
• 6 add salt to taste and mix well.
• 7 fill this stuffing in the slit bittergourds after the stuffing has cooled down.
• 8 tie each of the bittergourds with a thread so that the masala stuffed inside them will not fall out.
• 9 heat 2 tbsps. of extra virgin olive oil in a wok.
• 10 transfer the bittergourds to this wok.
• 11 cover and cook on low heat for 10 minutes.
• 12 serve hot with indian flatbreads (rotis).