Bitter Gourd ( Pavakkai) Fry

Some people does not like Bitter gourd or pavakkai or karela because of its extreme bitter and unpleasant taste. But it is packed with some key nutrients and healthy components. Bitter gourd is a rich source of cellulose, which adds to you daily dietary requirement of fibre, improving digestion. Due to its hypoglycemic action, bitter gourd makes an excellent remedy for diabetes. The insulin-like peptides, alkaloids, and charantin combine to lower blood and urine sugar levels without increasing blood insulin levels.

This recipe is a simple one which my mother used to make.

Ingredients:

• Bitter gourd - 2 big
• Salt - as needed or ¾ tsp.
• Turmeric powder - ¼ tsp.
  
• Chilli powder - ½ tsp. or more
• Oil - 2 tbsp.
• Mustard seeds - ½ tsp.

Method:

• Wash and clean bitter gourd and cut them into thin slices.
• Add salt, turmeric powder and chilli powder and mix well and keep for half an hour.
• In a pan, heat oil and add mustard seeds.
• When it splutters, add the bitter gourd pieces and keep in medium flame and fry till crisp.
• Turn them in between. When it becomes crisp, switch off the flame.
• You can serve this bitter gourd fry with rice and Vathal Kuzhambu.