Kalela Fritters / Bhajis

Time 20 min

Ingredients

Bittergourd 2-3 small size
Gram flour (Besan) 2 tbsp

Makai flour 2 tbsp
Rice flour 2 tbsp
Red chili powder 1/2 tsp

Turmeric Powder 1/4 tsp

Water 3-4 tbsp or more

Pinch of baking soda

Salt to taste

Oil fry frying

Method

Make thin slices of bitter gourd. Apply turmeric powder and salt. keep it aside for 15 min.
To make batter, mix all ingredients (keep in mind that you had added salt to bittergourd too) in a mixing bowl. The consistency of the batter should be in such a way that if you hold it in spoon it should not fall so easily. It means it should not be very watery. Keep batter for 2 -3 min aside. Heat the oil in kadai. Then take one slice apply batter and then drop them in kadai, deep fry till golden brown. Remove from oil and soak in the tissue paper to remove excess oil.

Fry Bitter Gourd Bhaji

Time 15 min

Ingredients

Sliced  (round shape) bitter gourd 1 cup

Asafoetida ½ tsp

Cumin seeds ½ tsp

Salt to taste

Oil 2 tbsp

Method

Heat oil in pan add asafetida, cumin seeds. After cumin seeds crackles then add sliced bitter gourd. Mix well. Do not add water. Add salt and fry continuously on medium flame for 7-8 min. Turn off after it becomes crispy.

Stuffed Bittergourd with Coconut

Time 20 min

Ingredients

Bitter gourd 2-3 medium size

Grated fresh coconut 1/2 cup

Asafoetida 1/4  tsp

Red chili powder 3/4tsp

Ginger garlic paste 1/4 tsp

Coriander cumin powder ¼ tsp

Cumin seeds ½ tsp

Turmeric powder ¼ tsp

Salt to taste

Oil 2 tbsp

Method

Clean the bitter gourd. Chop into size of 2-3 inch keeping the round shape intact.

Heat oil in pan add asafoetida, turmeric powder, cumin seeds. After cumin seeds crackles Then add cut bitter gourd. Mix well. Do not add water. Cover the lid and cook for 5-6 min till it becomes tender. Switch off the flame. Allow it to cool. In a separate bowl take red chili powder, ginger garlic paste, coconut, salt, cumin coriander powder, mix well. Stuff this  mixture to cooked bitter gourd. Now heat the oil in pan, add stuffed bitter gourd, fry for about 7-8 min on low flame. Do not add water. Meanwhile stir well to avoid burning.

Tip

U need to add little more oil to avoid adding water. If u add water its taste differs so I avoid.

Bitter Gourd Bhaji with Jaggery

Time 30 min

Ingredients

Bitter gourd 250 gms (cut into small round pieces)

Finely chopped onion 2 medium size

Red chili powder 1.5 tsp & ginger garlic paste 1/4 tsp / Kolhapuri masala 2 tsp

Jaggery 1.5 to 2 tbsp

Turmeric powder 1/4 tsp

Water 1-2 tbsp

Oil 2 tbsp

Salt to taste

Method

Apply turmeric powder and little salt to the chopped bitter gourd and keep it aside.

Heat oil in pan, add onion, saute till onion turns golden brown. Then add bitter gourd. Fry and stir well for about 3-4 min. Then add red chili powder + ginger garlic paste / Kolhapuri masala. Mix well, fry for 2-3 min. Then add 2-3 tbsp water & jaggery, mix well, cover with lid and cook for about 10 min till it is done.

Tip
It taste good with bhakari.
Even though u add jaggery its bitterness is not removed.
Few people removes/squeezed water after applying turmneric powder and salt to the bitter gourd. But in this way its nutrient value is reduced. So i do not follow this method. 

Bitter Gourd / Karela Bhaji with Groundnut

Time 15 min

Ingredients

Bitter gourd 3-4 medium size

Groundnut powder 2-3 tbsp

Asafoetida ½  tsp

Red chili powder / Kolhapuri kanda lasun chatney 2 tsp

Coriander cumin powder ¼ tsp

Cumin seeds ½ tsp

Turmeric powder ¼ tsp

Salt to taste

Oil 2 tbsp

Method

Clean the bitter gourd. Chop into size of 2-3 inch keeping the round shape with cut at one side.

Heat oil in pan add asafetida, turmeric powder, cumin seeds and little salt. Then add cut bitter gourd. Mix well. Do not add water. Cover the lid and cook for 6-7 min till it becomes tender. Switch off the flame. Allow it to cool. In a separate bowl take Red chili powder / Kolhapuri kanda lasun chatney add groundnut powder, remaining salt, (keep in mind that u have added salt while frying bittergourd)  cumin coriander powder, mix well. Apply this mixture to cooked bitter gourd.  If possible u can do stuffing. Now heat the oil in pan, add stuffed bitter gourd, fry for about 7-8 min on low flame. Do not add water. Meanwhile stir well to avoid burning.

Tip

U need to add little more oil to avoid adding water. If u add water its taste differs so I avoid.