Pavakkai Kondakadalai Puli Kuzhambu (Bittergourd-Brown Channa Tamarind Gravy)

Category:  Kuzhambu Varieties
Preparation Time: 5 mins  
Cooking Time: 20 mins 
Servings: 3 servings

Pavakkai pulikuzhambu is an easy South Indian kuzhambu and it doesn't need any grinding. We can make it more healthy and tasty by adding cooked brown channa / Kondakadalai / karuppu sundal.

Pavakkai Kondakadalai Pulikuzhambu

Ingredients:

• Bittergourd / Pavakkai - 2 medium sized, finely chopped
• Brown Channa / Kondakadalai - 1/2 cup, cooked
• Tamarind - Size of a Gooseberry (Use as needed)
• Sambar Powder - 1 to 2 Tbsp (Adjust as per spice level)
• Turmeric Powder- 1/2 tsp
• Sesame Oil - 1/2 Tbsp + 1 Tbsp
• Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
• Channa Dal - 1/2 tsp
• Urad Dhal- 1/2 tsp
• Fenugreek seeds - 1/8 tsp
• Curry leaves -few
• Asafoetida - a pinch
• Small Onions - 7-8 nos, halved
• Garlic - 6-7 cloves, chopped
• Jaggery - a small piece
• Salt - as required

Method:

• Soak Tamarind in warm water and extract juice to around 1 cup and finely chop the bittergourd

Bitter Gourd Chips (Microwave Method)

Category: Snacks / Side dish
Preparation Time: 5 mins 
Cooking Time: 10 -15 mins
Servings: For 1-2 persons

Bitter gourd Chips

Ingredients:

• Bitter gourd -2 nos
• Sambhar Powder -1 tsp
• Turmeric Powder - 1/4 tsp
• Rice flour - 1 tbsp
• Salt - to taste
• Oil - 1 tsp

Method:

1. Clean and cut the bitter gourd into thin round slices and remove seeds
   
2. Take the slices in a bowl and sprinkle Sambhar powder, Turmeric powder, Salt, Oil and Rice flour over it
3. Mix well so that every slices gets coated with the masala
4. Take a microwave safe plate and arrange the coated slices without overlapping
   
5. Microwave for 5 mins and then flip over the slices and again microwave for another 3-5 mins
6. Ensure to check in between to avoid getting burnt, continue cooking till it becomes crispy
   
7. Once it becomes crisp, take out and enjoy as a snack or with any rice varieties