BitterGourd Rice/Karela Rice

Does this sound weird? If so, let me clarify it is the most yummiest rice item I ever liked after I started cooking different rice items. It is a must try dish as the outcome won't disappoint you. Awesome tangy,sweet,bitter,spicy flavours within this dish makes it just fingerlicking yummy dish.

Here is the simple Bittergourd rice recipe.

Ingredients:

For main dish:
Bittergourd/karela- 1 medium sized
Onion-1 big sliced thin lengthwise
Mustard seeds-1 tsp
Cumin seeds/jeera-1 tsp
Urad dal/Split skinned black gram-2 tsp
Concentrated tamarind paste-2 tsp
Jaggery-1" cube
Turmeric powder-1 tsp
Green chillies-2 slit
Lemon juice-1 tsp
Oil-2tbsp+1 tsp
Salt to taste
Water-3 cups+2 tbsp
Raw rice -1 cup soaked in enough water

For masala preparation:
Peanuts-handful
Coriander seeds-1 tbsp
Redchilly-1
Cumin seeds/jeera-2 tsp
Urad dal/Split skinned black gram-handful

To garnish:
Coriander leaves/Cilantro-2 sprigs
Curry leaves-1 sprig

Recipe:

Masala Preparation:
First dry grind the ingredients under masala preparation.

 

 

Then dry roast it for some time till you get nice aroma and keep the masala mixture aside

 

 

Main dish preparation:
Add 1 tsp oil,lemon juice,salt to taste to raw rice and pressure cook the rice with 2 cups of water for 3 whistles.
In a pan add concentrated tamarind paste,jaggery cube and add one cup water and bring to boil and simmer for some time till it reduces to half

Scrape the Bittergourd/Karela.

Cut into pieces and add salt and 1/2 tsp turmeric powder to it keep aside for 30 mins

 

Karela oozes out little water, so squeeze them and wash them under cold water.That way the bitterness in them goes off to a good extent.

 

 

In a big deep pan add oil say 2 tbsp, when hot add mustard seeds, urad dal,jeera.

As they splatter add onions and green chillies.

Once onions turn translucent, add 1/2 tsp turmeric powder, add karela  and saute well.Let the karela get tender and cooked.

 

 

Now add the roasted masala mixture you prepared and mix well.

Then add to it the tamarind jaggery mixture you prepared and then cover and cook till karela gets fully cooked.

Add 2 tbsp water to it if the mixture is getting too dry.Mixture should not be too dry.
Once cooked add salt to it and simmer.Minimum salt would be enough as you cooked rice with added salt.

 

 

Add the cooked cooled rice to the mixture you prepared.

Mix well and simmer for 2-3 minutes.
Garnishing to give final touch and taste:
Garnish with cilantro and curry leaves.
Karela Rice is ready to serve.

Enjoy the dish! n don't forget Eat and Eat little MORE.. :)
Sending this to Nayna's simplysensationalfood