Pavakkai pulikulambu in tamil / Bitter gourd tamarind gravy / பாகற்காய் புளிக்குழம்பு

Ingredients
Bitter Gourd – 200 gram ( sliced)
Shallots – 1/4 cup
Tamarind – Lemon sized ball
tomatoes – 3 nos
Garlic – 5 pods
Turmeric powder – ¼ tsp
Red chili powder – 2 tsp
Coriander powder – 1 tsp
Sambar Powder – 2 tsp
Salt as needed

For the Seasoning
Sesame Seed Oil – 6 tbsp
Mustard seeds – 1 tsp
chana dal – 1 tsp
Red Chilli – 2 nos
Curry Leaves – 2 spring
Coriander leaves

Method

1. Wash and cut bitter gourd into thin roundels.

2. Soak tamarind in a cup of hot water for 15-20 minutes. Extract its juice (around 1.5 cup of tamarind extract) and discard the pulp.

3. Heat 4 tbsp of oil add sliced bitter gourd and cook well in oil (about 5 minutes on medium heat). This will remove the bitterness to some extent. Keep aside

4. Heat 2 tbsp of oil add mustard seeds, when it splutters, add chana dal red chilli and curry leaves.

5. Then add shallots and garlic saute until onions turn transparent.

6. Add tomatoes sauté well.

7. Then add turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder, sambar powder and salt needed.Saute for a few seconds.

8. Then add tamarind water. When the tamarind water starts boiling, add fried bitter gourd mix well and reduce the heat to medium.

9. Cover and cook until the tamarind water reduces and thickens.

10. Once the gravy reduces and thickens, remove from heat.

11.Garnish with coriander leaves.

12. Our pavakkai pulikuzambu is ready to serve.

Note:

Sesame seed oil gives a nice flavor to the kuzhambu.
Shallots gives a nice taste to the kuzhambu