Pavakka Pitla( Bitter gourd curry)

Pavakka or bitter gourd Pitla is popular South Indian gravy which goes very well with plain rice. It is another version of sambar. Many of us hate pavakka or bitter gourd obvious for its bitter taste. But bittergourd is very nutritious.It is a mix of masalas and cooked dhal. We will not feel the bitterness of Bitter gourd in this gravy. let us learn how to make this.

Preparation time approx 30 minutes

Ingredients
2 big size Pavakka ( bitter gourd) cut in to pieces
11/2 cup cooked thuar dhal
Lemon size tamarind
1/2 cup grated fresh coconut
8 red chillies
3 tsp coriander seeds
2 tsp channa dhal
2 tsp urad dhal
1/4 spoon pepper
Salt to taste
2 tsp oil for seasoning
Seasoning
1/2 spoon mustard

Method
Cook the thuar dhal in pressure cooker. Mash it and Keepaside
Cut the bitter gourd or pavakka in to pieces
Soak tamarind in water for 10 minutes extract juice.
In 1/2 spoon oil fry coriander seeds, urad dhal, channa dhal,red chillies,pepper one by one.

Take this in a mixi jar. Fry the grated coconut till it turns into brown color,when it cools grind everything smoothly adding little water.
In a pan add little oil fry the pavakka or bitter gourd pieces till it turns colour.

Add tamarind extract. Add haldi and salt. Let it cook till the raw smell of tamarind goes.
Check the bittergourd. If it is cooked add mashed thuar dhal and ground masala. Add some water to adjust the consistency of the gravy. Boil it.

When it started boiling switch off gas.
Heat remaining oil add mustard seeds and curry leaves..