13 November 2013

Pavakka mezhukkupuratti / Bitter gourd stir fry-Kerala Style / Bhuna Karela



pavakka-mezhukkupurati

Is there any vegetable that you loathe the most ??? I say ,"All"...:P...okkk that's not fair..I'm not a kid anymore to hate all vegetables so let me narrow it down precisely.Well,the vegetable I hate the most is the one whose name is as bitter as it's taste.

Well ...yeah you guessed it!...Mr./Mrs.Bitter Melon or Bitter Gourd or Bitter squash indeed!!...well, the name no matter how you put it has a "BITTER" as the prefix whatsoever.However don't ask my hubby because he will not mind to rename this vegetable as Better Melon/better squash or BETTER God..whoops I mean gourd..but yeah he won't mind pronouncing it as better God I believe because the way he can gulp down the bitter melon juice says ,"It's elixir baby"!!! Needless to say,Honey P is crazy about this vegetable .

If I am like thisPuke then he is like this Thumbs up.


Before marriage I wouldn't even look at it even once,I would always ask my mom,"Amma,how can you eat this one-it's name says bitter and it's looks says ,"I am a vegetable Porcupine" Yellow Smiley confused.

That was before my wedding but after marrying bitter gourd endorser,Honey P , I am incorporating this vegetable into my menu ever since . First thing first,it's the best vegetable for my hubby's health as it's scientifically proven for it's anti-diabetic properties and when I read articles regarding it's bountiful health benefits ,I must say I don't feel that horrible to consume this vegetable anymore and you should too.As these bitter tasting vegetables are very low in calories and filled with fiber,vitamins and nutrients especially they are an excellent source of vitamins B1, B2, and B3, C, magnesium, folate, zinc, phosphorus, manganese exclusively .

bitter-gourd-stir-fry-kerala-style


It is rich in iron, contains twice the beta-carotene of broccoli, twice the calcium of spinach, and twice the potassium of a banana, can prevent cancer,diabetes,liver problems,digestive problems,skin issues,blood pressure etc.

However,over consumption is also not recommended ,the seed is considered to be toxic and it's not good for pregnant women especially as it has got the properties to induce abortion/miscarriage (Courtesy:  juicing-for-health.com. )(Wondering if that's an old wives' tale for pregnancy like to not have a bitter baby :O...nope..just kidding..something scientific ofcourse :P)

 After reading all these health benefits revelations ,I am ready to take in all the bitterness for our health better-ness :D.

By the way,did you know that,"Bitter melon is not in fact a vegetable and falls into a fruit family " ..Says doctorsinghs.com !! A bitter fruit huhh??

I usually make my mom's Bitter gourd stir fry in her Kerala ishtyle/Pavakka mezhukkupuratti, which happens to be my hubby's favorite stir fry with plain hot rice and any light curry like dal/Lentil based curries ,Pappadum especially .

 So,basically Pavakka means bitter gourd and mezhukkupurati means stir fry in Malayalam.Pavakka mezhukkupuratti is made with thinly sliced bitter gourds,onion,coconut (which gives the unique Kerala touch) ,curry leaves fried in oil either lightly until they are cooked or deeply fried dark and little crunchy.

By the way,read here how to reduce the bitterness of a Bitter Gourd with three Pavakka thoran recipes Kerala style...

Pavakka mezhukkupuratti

Ingredients

Bitter Gourd (medium sized) - 2 nos.
Onion,sliced - 1 no.
Green chillies,sliced - 2 nos.
Coconut bits/cut-pieces - 1/2 cup
Turmeric powder - 1 teaspoon
Chilli powder - 1 teaspoon(optional)
Salt to taste

For tempering
 Coconut oil - 1-2 tablespoon
Mustard seeds - 1 teaspoon
Curry leaves - 1 sprig


 Method:
 Watch this quick video below to learn how to correctly chop the bitter gourd and make the stir fry.
      OR,            
  • Clean the bitter gourds well in warm water.
  • Cut them into half length wise ,remove the seeds and wash them once again so that it's clean inside.
  • Now slice them width wise as thin as possible as it will help in frying them fast and evenly.
  • Heat oil in a pan/kadai, splutter the mustard seeds,2-3 curry leaves and add the sliced onions,green chillies and fry them for two minutes until tender on medium heat.
  • Add the sliced bitter gourd,turmeric powder,chilli powder and salt and saute for few minutes.
  • Make a well between the above mixture, add two tablespoon of water.
  • Now mix everything again and bring everything to the center of the pan like a small mountain.(This is done so that everything especially bitter gourd cooks well evenly and fast)
  • Cover the pan with a lid and lower the heat.
  • Cook for 5 minutes or more until the bitter gourd is cooked well.
  • Remove the lid to make sure the bitter gourd is cooked otherwise put the lid back and let it cook for few more minutes.
  • Once cooked,remove the lid ,add the remaining curry leaves, keep sauteing everything until all water evaporates completely and it gets crunchy and brown (light to dark as per your preference) on medium-high heat.
  • Check if the salt is enough.
  • Pavakka mezhukkupurati is ready to eat.Serve it with plain rice or curd rice or any lightly curried rice as a side dish..
Note:
  1.   Always buy green and firm bitter gourds without any spots or dent .
  2. To reduce the bitterness, after slicing them marinate them in enough salt.       
Eat,Love,Live well,