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5 from 1 vote
Pavakkai pulikachal
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
30 mins
 

Bittergourd spiced tamarind paste that is mixed with rice and sesame oil

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: South Indian
Author: cookingwithpree
Ingredients
Ingredients:
  • 2 small bitter gourd chopped I got about 2 cups
  • 1 lemon size tamarind soaked in hot water for 15 minutes
  • 2 tbsp coriander seeds
  • 1/2 tsp fenugreek seeds
  • 1 tsp pepper corns
  • 6 to 7 dried red chillies Adjust as per taste
To temper
  • 1 tsp mustard seeds
  • 11/2 tsp urad dal
  • 11/2 tsp channa dal
  • 1/2 tsp asafoetida
  • 2 sprig curry leaves
  • 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
  • 3 tbsp sesame oil
Instructions
Method:
  1. Add some more water to the soaked tamarind and extract about 21/2 cups of tamarind juice and set aside.
  2. Add a small pinch of salt and turmeric powder to the chopped bitter gourd and set it aside for 15 minutes. The bitter gourd will leave out water. Discard the water and set it aside. This will take some of the bitterness off the bitter gourd.
  3. Dry roast the coriander seeds, red chilly, fenugreek seeds and pepper corns and grind it to a smooth powder
  4. In a pan, add the sesame oil and add the items given under to temper. Let the mustard seeds crackle and urad dal turn golden brown.
  5. Now add the bitter gourd and saute for about 3 minutes until they are cooked partially
  6. Then add the tamarind water, ground powder, salt and let it boil in a medium flame.
  7. Let it cook in a medium flame until the oil starts separating and it becomes thick. Add the jaggery at this stage and adjust salt as needed.
  8. Store it in an air tight container and mix with rice when needed