Bitter gourd, as the name suggests it taste bitter and many dislike for the same reason. Many with diabetes consume bitter gourd juice and usually bitter gourd curry is prepared at homes. Here is a dish "Pavalka Pitlai", prepared with bitter gourd as a main ingredient cooked along with dal and grinded masala and to your surprise the bitter taste is completely lost and it will taste like a sambhar. Try it in this way:

INGREDIENTS :

Bitter Gourd

Tur dal

Channa dal

Groundnut

white pea

urad dal

Asafoetida

Tamarind

Coconut

Oil

Mustard

Red chillies

Salt

Turmeric powder

PREPARATION:

1. Soak overnight Groundnut and white pea separately in water

2. Wash and cut bitter gourd into medium pieces

3. Take a vessel add Tur dal, Channa dal, turmeric powder, pieces of bitter gourd, soaked groundnut and white pea. Cook it in a pressure cooker.

4. Soak tamarind and extract juice.

5. Place wok on the stove and pour oil and roast channa dal, urad dal, asafoetida and red chillies. Let it cool for sometime and grind it in a mixer along with coconut .

6. Pour the tamarind juice in a vessel and place it on the stove. Add salt. When it starts to boil add the grinded masala and allow it to simmer for sometime.

7. Then add the bitter gourd and dal cooked in the pressure cooker. Mix well .

8. Place a wok and pour oil. Add mustard seeds when it crackles , pour it over the "Pavalka Pitlai".

9. Remove from fire. Serve hot with white rice and ghee. Any vegetable curry, papad or raita can be served as an accompaniment.