Bharwan Karela or Stuffed Bitter Gourd

Geetha Patil

Bharwan Karela or Stuffed Bitter Gourd is a great healthy side dish. Stuffed Karela is a unique Indian dish with such exquisite flavor that it will make even bitter Karela taste like heaven.

Ingredients

• 5-6 Karela/Bitter Gourds
• 2-3 tbsp Oil

Stuffing

• ¼ cup Peanuts
• 1 tsp Green Chili-Ginger Paste
• 1 tsp Sesame powder
• 1-2 tbsp Coriander-Cumin Seeds Powder
• 1 tsp Red Chili Powder
• 1 tsp Turmeric Powder
• 1 tsp Garam Masala
• 1-2 tsp Amchoor Powder
• Pinch of Hing/Asafoetida
• 1-2 tsp Oil
• 2-3 tbsp Chopped Coriander Leaves
• Salt
• 1 tsp Sugar

Instructions

• Wash and wipe Karelas, and then slit it using knife without breaking or cutting into the two parts (halve).
• Remove the seeds from Karela using your thumb or a small spoon from each Karela and keep aside.
• In a same pan roast peanuts on low flame, and then crush it into coarse powder.
• In a same pan roast sesame on low flame, and then crush it into coarse powder.
• Take a mixing bowl add crushed peanuts, chili-ginger paste, coriander-cumin seeds powder, Garam masala, turmeric powder, red chili powder, chopped coriander leaves, Amchoor powder, pinch of Hing, sugar, salt and oil in it. Mix well
• Now stuff the mixture into the each prepared Karela using your fingers and thumbs tightly, so that the stuffing does not come out while cooking.
• Heat the oil in a Kadhai or pan and place the stuffed Karelas into the pan.
• Cover the lid with a deep edge plate with some water and cook it on medium flame until cooked all the sides, turn it upside down after every 2-3 minutes and check it in between cooking process.
• Bharwan Karela is ready serve it with roti/Phulka, paratha or rice and enjoy!

Notes

Add spices as per your taste.
Make green chili-ginger paste using 2-3 green chilies and ½-inch ginger.
You can add sautéed onion or minced garlic into the stuffing if you like it.
You can also use roasted desiccated coconut.

You can store the stuffed Karela up to 1 week into the refrigerator.