Pavakkai Ellukari

Pavakkai Ellukari

A long lost recipe from Palakkad made using bittergourd or Pavakkai. They are simmered in a tamarind gravy and coated with an exotic spice powder. Pairs incredibly well with rice, dosai, chapathi and aapam.

Ingredients:

·      Bitter gourd – 200 gms (pith, seeds removed and cut in 1 inch strips)
·      Green chillies (slit) – 5 nos
·      Coconut oil – 100 ml
·      Black or white Sesame seeds – 1 tbsp (dry roasted and ground to a powder)
·      Mustard seeds – 1 tsp
·      Asafoetida – ½ tsp
·      Jaggery – 1 tbsp
·      Turmeric – 1 tsp
·      Tamarind – med orange size
·      Water – 500 ml
·      Salt

Ingredients- spice powder:

·      Coriander seeds – 4 tbsp
·      Urad dhal – 1 tbsp
·      Channa dhal – 1 tbsp
·      Red chillies – 6 nos
·      Whole black pepper – 15 nos

 Method:

1.     Soak tamarind in water and extract juice by adding the 500 ml of water. Set aside.
2.     In  a wok, dry roast ingredients mentioned under spice powder. Cool it down and grind to a fine powder.
3.     In a wok, heat coconut oil. When hot, temper mustard seeds and add the bitter gourd and sauté.
4.     Add turmeric and mix well.
5.     Add the slit green chillies.
6.     Add the tamarind juice, salt. Cover and cook.
7.     Cook until you see oil floating on the sides/ top.
8.     Now add the powdered jaggery and the roasted spice powder.
9.     Mix well to ensure there are no lumps.
10. Once this cooks, you will notice oil floating on the top.
11. At this stage, add the roasted sesame powder.
12. Mix well and switch off stove.
13. Serve hot with rice, dosai, idly or appams.

Note:

·      This can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a month.