Most of the people don’t like Bitter gourd because of it’s bittery nature. I was one of them until I found out the benefits of bitter gourd and recipe to hide its bitterness.
I’m from Karnataka where Bitter gourd is called as Haagalakaayi. We people make Gojju out of everything. We have Pineapple gojju, Heerekaayi (Ridge gourd) Gojju, Badanekaayi (Eggplant) gojju, Maavinakaayi (Mango) Gojju etc.
Gojju is also a curry but the preparation method slightly varies compared to that of curry and there will be additional spice powders added here.
Benefits of Bitter gourd:
- This is a boon to Diabetic Patients. Medicines help to reduce glucose level of few parts of the body whereas Bitter gourd affects the metabolism of all parts.
- Drinking Bitter gourd juice on an empty stomach helps to reduce weight.
- Having bitter gourd juice on an empty stomach helps to flush toxins from our body parts such as liver, respiratory system, Kidney and bladder.
- Regular consumption of Bitter gourd boosts the immune system.
- Bitter Gourd contains fibers which help with digestion thus helping with digestive problems like constipation, Gallstones, piles etc.
Bitter gourd, when mixed with Tamarind, jaggery and spice powder, will not taste that bitter and even kids can enjoy this delicious curry. You can adjust the quantity of tamarind, jaggery and spice powders as per the taste.
Let’s see the recipe of Bitter gourd Gojju;
Ingredients:
Bitter Gourd: 8-10
Curry leaves: 4-5
Homemade Spice Powder: 1 tablespoon
Olive oil: 2 tablespoon
Chilli Powder: 1 tablespoon
Turmeric: 1 tablespoon
Tamarind/ Tamarind juice: 1/2 cup
Jaggery: 2 tablespoon
Mustard seeds: 1/2 tablespoon
Cumin: 1/2 tablespoon
Asafoetida: 1 Pinch
Salt: As per the taste
Cooking time: 25 mins
Preparation:
- Remove seeds from bitter gourd and cut them into small pieces. Add little oil to a pan and fry bitter gourd until they turn slightly brown and raw smell should be gone.
- Take out the fried bitter gourd in a plate. Add oil in the same pan.
- Once the oil is hot add mustard, cumin, turmeric, Asafoetida and curry leaves.
- Add fried bitter gourd and mix well.
- Now add Spice powder, Chilli Powder and salt and mix well. (Check the bottom of the page for the homemade spice powder recipe)
- Let it cook for 3-4 minutes (medium flame).
- Once the bitter gourd cooked well with all the spice, add tamarind juice and jaggery.
- Mix well and cook for 5-6 mins on a medium flame with periodic mixing.
- If the curry is getting too sticky sprinkle little water or add more tamarind juice. To store this curry for more number of days it is recommended to cook without water.
- Cook for another 4-5 mins. Let everything mix thoroughly.
- Bitter gourd skin turns brown and becomes smooth once it is properly cooked. If you see this turn off the stove and Bitter gourd curry is ready. This can be stored for a week in the fridge and can be eaten along with rice and chapatis.
Step by step method:
- Cut bitter gourd into small pieces by removing seeds and fry them in a pan with little oil.
- Once the bitter gourd turns light golden take out them in a separate plate. In the same pan add oil. Once the oil is hot add mustard, cumin, turmeric, Asafoetida and curry leaves.
- Add fried Bitter gourd into the pan and cook for 3-4 minutes on a medium flame.
- Now add Spice powder, Chilli Powder and salt and mix well. (Check the bottom of the page for the homemade spice powder recipe)
- Let it cook for 5-6 mins. Periodically mix well to avoid sticking to the pan.
- Then add Jaggery and Tamarind Juice.
- Let it cook for another 4-5 mins with the lid closed.
- Now bitter gourd curry or Haagalakaayi Gojju is ready. Store this in the fridge for a week to enjoy a delicious meal along with rice and Chapatis.
Homemade spice powder recipe:
- Fry 2 tablespoons of Split Bengal Gram (Chana Daal), 2 tablespoons of a split black gram (Urad daal) and 2-3 dry red chillies until all the grams turn golden brown.
- Turn off the stove and let the mixture cool down completely.
- Grind this mixture to a very smooth powder.
- This spice powder can be used as an ingredient for any curries, sambar and chutney. It can be stored for a longer time.
This post is written as part of #myfriendalexa challenge initiated by Blogchatter. I’m taking my Alexa rank to next level with th ehelp of this campaign.
My grandma makes bitter gourd similar to this. Let me add one more ingredient to your recipe. Tomato. It makes it more yumm. Do try it next time. It Should be mashed in oil during preparation.
I didn’t add tomatos thinking whether it will lost for long or not! I will try next time. Thanks Ranjini 🙂
This is something different recipe, jaggery and tamarind was the hit for me . Will give it a try soon
Thank yo Dixita 🙂
Bitter-gourd is my favourite vegetable. This recipe is mouth-watering.
Thank you for reading and appreciation! ?
This is the must try recipe with bitter gourd.Will definitely try this recipe.
Thanks Neha 🙂 let me know!
My entire family, except me, hates bitter gourd. Thank you for bringing this recipe to us. I have hope now. #MayuraReads #MyFriendAlexa
I was one of the bitter gourd hater! After marriage thinking about all healthy stuff I decided to eat bitter gourd and tried many recipes to make it less bitter. This one became my favorite 🙂
I love bitter gourd ? , never tried with olive oil. I fry bitter gourd on a tawa crispy with little oil and remove them in a plate. Fry onions. tomatoes, add turmeric, red chilli powder, salt and tamarind. Add fried bitter gourd and keep a lid for 10mins, try this one you will love it for sure.
#vigorousreads #MyFriendAlexa
I have tried this Varsha. It is my favorite too! Frying Onion takes time but it is delicious once done. I keep on switching between 2 recipes depending on time. 🙂
I have been looking for a good recipe for bitter-gourd. I am going to try this for sure.
Excellent! Thank you…
We use bitter gourd but the only thing we makr is a try. Thanks for the recipe.
Namratha from #firstgreenstep #MyFriendAlexa
You mean fry? I have tried that! It is also delicious..
I love bitter gourd, my mom used to make it for me as I was the only one who loved it in the family. Now after marriage, I rarely get to eat bitter gourd as no one in my new family likes it too. My mother in law made it for me 3-4 times. But this is a completely new recipe. Bitter gourd with tamarind & jaggery sounds like a must try. Will share this recipe with both my moms & ask them to try it. Thanks for the recipe!
Very sweet of you Neha. Thank you 🙂
Yum! I have some bitter gourd in the fridge and was looking for a new recipe.
Thank you…
I love bitter gourd in every form but my family hates it! Your recipe comes as a huge relief! I will surely try it at home. Thank you for writing this! One more thing, the photography and explanation is superlative! #MyFriendAlexa #MayuraReads
Thank you Mayura.. I’m glad you liked it.
Thank you for sharing this easy recipe!
Thanks Huma..
Looks very nice… Will try making it..
Super!
Your recipe definitely sounds promising. And I like the way you have listed the benefits of Bitter-Gourd. My wife makes it very crispy and I love it.
That’s nice! More importantly it is very healthy..
This recipe looks yummy…will gonna try this one
Thank you 🙂
Should try this recipe sometime…I avoid bitter-gourd entirely…
Haha. I can understand.. Try this recipe I’m sure you will not taste that much bitter.
The recipe looks super delicious, as a family we love bitter guard. Thanks for sharing the detailed picture recipe , will try it soon.
http://www.zenithbuzz.in
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Sure Hema 🙂
I am from Karnataka too! I prepare bitter gourd in a similar way except that I don’t add tamarind. Next time I am going to for sure. Thank you. Thumba tasty kanutide 😉
Ah! Try maadi super aagiratte taste. Thank you 🙂
Nice recipe I think I am an exception coz bitter gourd is my favorite vegetable although I haven’t tried this recipe thanks for sharing step by step method.
Awww.. that is such a nice compliment. Thanks Preety.
Nice recipe I think I am an exception coz bitter gourd is my favorite vegetable although I haven’t tried this recipe thanks for sharing step by step method.
#MyFriendAlexa #DelhibloggerReads
Thanks for reading Preety! Try and let me know how it went..
This is interesting recipe will try it out. I just love karela in any form.
Karela lover found 🙂 Thanks Gunjan..
Bitter gourd juice is very good diabetes. The recipe i follow uses onion but will try tamarind and jaggery now
#dewreads
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I use onion in another recipe. This one tastes good without onion.
Surely going to try it out, Sanjota! Tamarind and jaggery should make the bitter gourd good. And thanks for the spice powder recipe. Being from North India, I have Never used these spices before.
This is quite common spice powder which my grandma use in every recipe. It gives a different taste. I’m glad Sona 🙂
I love karela but this recipe is new to me. I have eaten many versions of karela sabji but the one with little sweetness. I am definitely trying this soon.
That’s nice of you! try and let me know!
Love the recipe. I also love bitter guard. Bitter helps to manage sugar. Small amount of bitter 10-15min. before meal helps in digestive enzyme secretion and aid digestion. Thanks Sanjota for the recipe. I will try
Yeah, Bittergourd is very good for people with diabetes. Thanks, Bikramjit for reading and appreciating!