Bitter gourd Stir Fry /Pavakka mezhukkupuratti | പാവയ്ക്കാ മെഴുക്കുപുരട്ടി
Pavakka Mezhukkupuratti (bitter Gourd Stir Fry) is a south Indian dish and it is so easy to make. Pavakka is a very healthy vegetable, especially for diabetic patients. I love the taste of pavakka and we make this very often.
You can get pavakka in both green and white in color. The green color one is slightly more bitter.
Take all the seeds out, then slice them lengthwise into 4 strips. Then cut them into thin slices. If you use a non-stick pan for frying you can reduce the oil.
How to make Pavakka-Kaipakka Mezhukkupuratti
Pavakka mezhukkupuratti
Pavakka is very healthy vegetable, especially for diabetic patients.. I love the taste of pavakka and we make this very often.
Ingredients
- 2 Bitter gourd, thinly slices (about 2-2.5 cups)
- 1 Onion
- 2 Green chilli
- 8 Shallots
- 1 tsp Crushed chilli
- Salt
- 2 tbsp Coconut Oil
- Curry leaves
- Tamarind water
Instructions
- Cut onion in to thin slices
- Cut green chilies, adjust the quantity to your spiciness
- Crush or chop 8-10 shallots
- Clean and slice bitter gourd into thin pieces.
- (Optional) Keep them in tamarind water for 20 minutes .Wash and drain them in to strainer very well.
- Heat oil and add onion, curry leaves, and green chili.
- Add salt. Saute for 1 minute over medium heat.
- Then add shallots and saute till translucent.
- Then add crushed chilli and saute till raw smell is gone. If you don’t have crushed chili flakes then add chili powder. Adjust the spice level to your taste.
- Optional: If you like you can add little tamarind water or lemon juice and pinch of jaggery.
- Now add bitter gourd and mix well.
- Cover the pan with a lid and cook for 10 minutes in medium flame, stirring occasionally. Don’t forget to stir otherwise the bottom get burned.
- Then open the Pan and roast bitter gourd until crisp.
- Now the bitter gourd stir fry is ready to serve with rice!!
Notes
The amount of oil can be adjusted to your preference. When you add more oil it taste good but it is not good for your health. If you are health conscious then reduce the oil. Coconut oil is best for all traditional kerala recipes.
Bitter gourd mezhukkupuratti (with Tomatoes) – Variations#1
In this Pavakka / Kaypakka Mezhukkupuratti recipe, we use tomatoes to reduce bitterness.
Ingredients
- 2 cups chopped bitter melon
- 3 tbsp Oil
- 1/2 tsp mustard seeds
- 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
- 1/2 tsp Kashmiri chili powder
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 1/2 Tablespoon garlic sliced
- 2 green chilies
- 2 sprigs of curry leaves
- 2 Tomatoes, chopped
- 1 tsp salt
- pinch of sugar
Directions
- Wash the bitter melon very well. Cut in half, lengthwise. Remove the seeds and cut them into half circle shape slices.
- Heat oil in a heavy bottom pan. Add mustard seeds and when it splutters add chopped onion, green chilies, garlic, 1/2 tsp salt, and curry leaves.
- Saute until the onions are soft over medium-low heat, about 3-4 minutes. Now add the sliced bitter melon and saute over high heat for about ONE minute while stirring continuously.
- Reduce heat to Medium LOW and cover the pan with a lid. Cook for another 2 minutes, covered, stirring frequently to make sure it doesn’t stick on the bottom. As you cook bitter melon, it should change the color to slightly dark brown and softened.
- Add 1/4 tsp turmeric powder and chili powder, and a pinch of sugar, and saute until the raw smell goes away.
- Now add the chopped tomatoes, and 1/2 tsp salt and saute until it is soft. Cover with a lid and cook for another 1-2 minutes, stirring often.
- Check salt and spices and adjust as needed. Turn off the heat and serve with rice.
Pavaka mezhukkupuratti | Bitter Gourd Stir Fry – Variation#2
This recipe is great if you like the bitter flavor of Bitter gourd.
Ingredients
- 2 cups chopped bitter melon
- 1/2 tsp mustard seeds
- 7 Shallots, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp Oil
- 7 garlic cloves, crushed
- 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tsp Red Chili flakes, crushed
- 2 green chilies
- 2 sprigs of curry leaves
- 1 tsp salt
Directions
- Wash the bitter melon thoroughly. Cut lengthwise in half. Remove the seeds and cut the slices into half-circle shapes.
- Heat 1 Tablespoon oil in a heavy bottom pan. Add mustard seeds and when it splutters add sliced shallots, green chilies, crushed garlic, 1/2 tsp salt, and curry leaves.
- Saute until the onions are light brown color over medium heat, slowly. Reduce heat and add turmeric powder, crushed red chilies and saute until the raw smell goes away (about 1 minute)
- Now add the sliced bitter melon and mix it all together.
- Reduce heat to LOW and cover the pan with a lid. Cook covered, stirring frequently to make sure it doesn’t stick on the bottom.
- Add 1 Tablespoon oil and fry bitter melon until it is light brown in color.
- Check salt and spices and adjust as needed. Turn off the heat and serve with rice.
Pavaka Mezhukkuvarati (with Coconut Slices) Variation#3
Ingredients
- 2 cups chopped bitter melon
- 1/4 cup coconut slices
- 1/2 tsp mustard seeds
- 1 Onion
- 3 tbsp Oil
- 6 garlic cloves, crushed
- 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 3 green chilies
- 2 sprigs of curry leaves
- 1 tsp salt
Directions
- Wash the bitter melon thoroughly. Cut lengthwise. Remove the seeds and cut the slices into 1-inch pieces
- Heat 3 Tablespoons of oil in a heavy bottom pan. Add mustard seeds and when it splutters add coconut slices, sliced onion, crushed garlic, and 1/2 tsp salt.
- Saute until the onions are soft over medium heat, slowly, about 2-3 minutes. Reduce heat and add turmeric powder, chili powder, and saute until the raw smell goes away (about 1 minute)
- Now add the sliced bitter melon, green chilies, curry leaves, and 1/2 tsp salt and mix it all.
- Reduce heat to LOW and cover the pan with a lid. Cook, it covered for 9-10 minutes, stirring frequently to make sure it doesn’t stick on the bottom.
- Open the lid and cook for another 1-2 minutes until it is dry. Stir occasionally.
- Check salt and spices and adjust as needed. Turn off the heat and serve with rice.
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