Pavakka / Kaypakka/Karela Theeyal(Bitter Gourd in Fried Coconut Gravy)

                                                      Pavakka Theeyal



Pavakka or Bitter Gourd the name itself says its bitter in taste and most of the people doesn't like this vegetable. Kaypakka or Karela is another names for Bitter Gourd..But we all know its a good source of Iron and all Diabetic patients or others who follow strict diet used to drink pavakka or bitter gourd juice...So prevention is better than cure as the proverb says,Have some pavakka or bitter gourd in your diet..I won't say always but once in a while as fry or in the form of theeyal or thoran(oriyal).Today im giving step by step pictorial method of preparation of Pavakka Theeyal...By preparing with fried coconut we can reduce the bitter taste of Pavakka.

Ingredients needed 
1.Bitter Gourd - 1 small
2.Shallots - 1 cup
3.Curry leaves - a few
4.Ginger - 1 small piece
For Coconut paste
5.Coconut - 1 cup
6.Dried Red Chilli - 1 no
7.Chilli powder - 1 Tsp
8.Turmeric powder - 1/2 Tsp
9.Tamarind paste - 2 Tsp
10.Salt - to taste


Method

1.Cut Bitter Gourd,Shallots and ginger into small pieces.

2.Switch on the flame and add oil to the pan,When it gets warm add all the vegetables into the oil.Cover and Cook for 10 minutes with salt and little water.

3.Take another pan and fry 1 cup of coconut and add all the powders in order to form a  paste.Make it as brown colour and make a paste out of it using a mixie after cooling.

4.Add the ground paste to the cooked vegetable mix with required water and boil for another 10 minutes.

5.Check the tamarind and salt taste of the coconut gravy and adjust it.Tamarind reduces  the bitter taste of  Pavakka.Switch off the flame and transfer it to a serving bowl.Serve with rice.You can use any other vegetable thoran or poriyal as combination with Pavakka Theeyal or any non veg fry.



Tips
1.After cooking Pavakka or Kaypakka's bitter taste would reduce and it combines with tamarind and coconut gravy.
2.Shallots gives more taste to the curry.But i used onion this time since i don't have it.


Recipe Courtesy :My mother


Try this easy theeyal recipe and have a nice cooking experience..


Happy Cooking:-)