PAVAKKAI(Bitter gaurd) PITALAI

INGREDIENTS:

Bitter gourd – 3

Thuvar dhal – ½ cup

Grated Coconut -1/4 cup(opt)

Tamarind – small lemon size

Red chillies – 4

Coriander Seeds – 2 tbs

Bengal gram dhal - 2 tbs
Urad dhal-1 tsp

Black Pepper – 1 tsp

Jeera-1 tsp

Turmeric powder – ½ tsp

Mustard – ½ tsp

Oil-1 tsp

Salt-to taste
Curry leaves - few

METHOD:
1.Slit the bitter gourds and remove the seeds. Cut it into small pieces. Sprinkle little salt mix well and keep it aside.

2.Soak tamarind in water and squeeze out the juice

3.Pressure cook thuvar dhal .

4.In a kadai(pan) dry roast Bengal gram dhal, urad dhal, coriander seeds, pepper, jeera and red chillies . Add coconut gratings(opt) at the end and fry for a while and grind to a fine paste.
5.Boil tamarind juice .Add turmeric powder and salt .

6.squeeze out all the water from bitter gaurd and add to the boiling tamarind juice.
7.When the bitter gourd is well cooked, add the ground paste, cooked dhal and mix well. Let it boil for few more minutes. Season it with mustard and curry leaves.

Note: If you desire, you can add a small piece of jaggery to lessen the bitterness.