Achari Karela(Bitter Gourd in pickling spices)

drprerna26April 19, 2017

Another vegetable (Actually its a fruit.. yes I am surprised as well) which is very good for diabetes is karela/Bitter Gourd. The fruit contains at least three active substances with anti-diabetic properties which has been confirmed to have a blood glucose-lowering effect. It influences glucose metabolism all over the body. Karela also contains anti-cancer properties.

However, the problem which most people have with karela is its bitter taste. But there are very simple and delicious ways of cooking it where you will just love it and will keep on asking for more. It definitely happens at my home 🙂 .One of them is achari karela which is delicious with tadka dal and roti.

The secret to this delicious karela is achari masala(pickling spices) . Most of us has mango pickle at home. We are going to use some oil and some masala from the pickle in this recipe which will counterbalance the bitterness of karela.

Ingredients:

3 big/medium size karelas: sliced in rounds in 2-3 mm thickness
3 tablespoon oil ( I used sunflower oil)
3 onions: sliced in half moons
salt : according to taste
1/2 tsp haldi
1 heaped teaspoon coriander powder
1/4 teaspoon red chilli powder
1 1/2 teaspoon amchoor (dried mango powder)
1 tablespoon oil from mango pickle.
1 teaspoon masala from mango pickle.

Method:

Peel the karela and slice it.
Sprinkle some salt on it and leave it for 2-3 hours.
Wash the karela when you are ready to cook.
Heat oil in a thick cast iron pan or non stick kadhai.
When oil is hot add sliced onions and karela to it on a medium flame.
Cover it and keep stirring in between to prevent it from burning.
When it is slightly brown in color( it might take 10-12 minutes) add all the dry masalas.( except pickle masala and oil)
Mix it properly .
Let it cook for 3-4 minutes uncovered on medium flame.
keep stirring gently in between.
When oil starts to leave oil from the sides add pickle oil and masala
Taste it after a min and if you can taste the bitterness you can add a little more pickle oil and masala.
Adjust salt and enjoy