Pavakka thoran (Bitter gourd stir fry)

     Pavakka  thoran is one of our favourite dish usually served with rice. Pavakka have many health benefits. It’s a healthy and nutritious dish which can be easily prepared but most of the people are not interested because of its bitter taste.  

Ingredients

·         Pavakka (Bitter gourd ) – 2big chopped)

 ·       Onion(Finely chopped)-1 medium sized·      

·         Ginger(Finely chopped)-1tsp

·         Green chillies (Finely chopped)-2

·         Turmeric powder – 1/2tsp

·         Grated coconut - 1/4 cup

·         Curry leaves- 2 sprigs·        

·          Mustard seeds- 1/2 tsp

·         Cooking oil(preferably coconut oil)-1 tbsp

·         Salt to taste

Preparation:

1. Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds. When it starts to splutter add chopped onion, green chillies, ginger and curry leaves . Saute it well till it turns light brown in color.
2. Add turmeric powder to it. Stir it for 5 mins.
3. Add grated coconut.  Stir for few mins.
4.  Add chopped pavakka pieces and enough salt to this mixture and blend well. Donot add water.
5. Cover the pan with a lid until the pavakka is cooked. Stir in between to make sure that it doesn’t get burned.
6. Remove from flame and serve hot.

Note:

In order to reduce the bitter taste, you may mix the chopped pavakka pieces salt and keep it for some time. Squeeze out the water from it.