21 November 2015

4 ways/3 recipes to reduce the bitterness of a Bitter Gourd/Bitter Melon/Pavakka kaippu/Pavakka thorans


how-to-reduce-bitterness-of-bitter-gourd
"Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet." ~ Jean-Jacques Rousseau 

If there is any vegetable that really tests any person's (almost) patience from buying it,cooking it ,consuming it ,then that ought to be a Bitter Melon/Bitter Gourd.Pavakka in Malayalam , Karela in Hindi and Momordica charantia ,the botanical name (Man, that's how I cuss a Bitter Gourd !)

Well,the reason is simple, majority of people may ignore it because of its bitterness except my better 1/2 (the only person I know) ,who can gulp down the entire raw juice as if it is the elixir of life ...(Good for you Honey P !) .In fact,I don't argue with that, as the health benefits of the Bitter Gourd indeed makes it a BETTER Gourd and ultimately, our health - SWEET and nourishing !!

Bitter-melon-recipes-pavakka-thoran-kerala-style

DID YOU KNOW?
  1. According to the nutrition-and-you.com,Bitter Gourd is a member of the same family as Squash,Watermelon,Cantaloupes,Cucumber etc. (Now,don't make me hate those other veges!). 
  2. Bitter Melon is a natural insulin that helps in preventing Diabetes.(Bitterness to combat over-sweetness..hmm..Interesting!!).
  3. It is also a good Liver detoxifier and helps in keeping the digestive system intact,keeps the skin problems at bay,makes the skin glow(Read:Ditch those fairness creams-Fair & Lovely creams -Go go !) and helps in weight loss (Now we are talking !).
  4. They are an excellent source of Folate/Folic Acid which is really good for pregnant ladies and the baby.(Will it make the baby bitter??:0)) .
  5. It also has a moderate dose of Vitamin B complex such as Niacin(Vitamin B-3,Panthothenic acid (Vitamin B-5),Pyridoxine (Vitamin B-6 and minerals such as Iron,Zinc,Potassium,Manganese and Magnesium.(Awesome I say !!)
  6. It also has Vitamin C and Falvanoids which keeps the radicals in the body in check .(Good good !!).
  7. The research suggests that the Phyto-chemicals compounds in Bitter Gourd might be effective in the treatment of HIV infection.(That sounds promising - poor BG,I totally misunderstood you !!).
  8. However,too much is not recommended as it may be intolerant for some people .(Like me??)
 NOW,it sounds less bitter..A'int it ?? In addition to that,here are my ways ,tips and tricks to reduce the bitterness of a Bitter Gourd and make it quite tasty and tolerable to eat without missing those loaded health benefits for sure.

1.Pls watch my quick video that shows how to reduce the bitterness of a bitter melon :


Now comes the Bitter Melon recipes that enhances the tastes of the Bitter Gourd by reducing the bitterness.

2. Carrot Pavakka thoran Kerala style,a Bitter Melon stir fry recipe with Carrots and Coconut ...
pavakka-bitter-gourd-recipe-carrot-thoran

Recipe and Method : Pls watch my quick video .


3.Beetroot Pavakkai thoran Kerala style,a Bitter Gourd/Karela recipe with Beetroot and Coconuts................
pavakka-thoran-beetroot-thoran-recipe

Recipe and method : Pls watch the video for the same.


4.Carrot-Beetroot-Pavakka Thoran Kerala Style,a Bitter Melon Kerala special recipe with Beetroot,Carrot and Coconut....
Bitterless-pavakka-thoran-recipe

Ingredients - (Carrot,grated - 1-2 nos,Beetroots,grated-1-2 nos,Pavakka/Bitter Gourd ,grated - 1 no,Coconut ,grated - 1 cup,Onion,chopped - 1/2 cup,Curry leaves,a few,Coconut oil - 1 tbsp,mustard seeds - 1 tsp)
Method: Heat oil in a pan,splutter mustard seeds,add chopped onions,let it become soft then add the grated bitter Gourd,carrot and beetroot,cover until cooked,remove the lid,add the coconut and curry leaves)

So,basically the sweetness of Carrots and or Beetroots,Onions and Coconut helps in mellow down the bitterness of the Bitter Gourd to a large extent and their addition makes it more healthier too.I believe these recipes will be helpful especially to make kids eat those vege alligators without a miss...well,this is what I do to reduce the bitterness of karela/Bitter Gourd and make them bitter-less and tasteful .

Life is like a Bitter gourd,at times it may not look good,taste good but it does have a better/brighter side to it- we have to taste the bitterness first ,to know that.Isn't it ??

With bitter errr better regards,