Bring goodness to your diet and satisfy your appetite with this earthly and spicy, fully flavored rice where the bitterness of the karela is long forgotten! Known for its distinctive flavors with a hint of bitterness, bitter gourd rice is indeed a great way to incorporate the veggie’s significant health benefit into your lifestyle. 

 Cuisine: South Indian

Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 35 mins

Spice Level: Spicy

1) Wash and slice the bitter gourd pieces by removing all the seeds.
2) Take 3 tsp of thick curd well and add water to it. Whisk well until the water combines well with the curd and becomes frothy and diluted. Add ¼ tsp of salt and ½ tsp jaggery.
3) Stir in the bitter gourd pieces and soak for about half an hour. Drain the buttermilk and pat dry the bitter gourd pieces.
4) In a wide pan, add 2 tsp of oil and fry the bitter gourd until it turns slightly brown.
5) Dry roast 2 tsp of coriander seeds, 1 tsp of chana dal, 1 tsp of urad dal, 2 red chilies, 1 tsp of peanuts, 1 clove, 1 cinnamon, 1 cardamom, and 5 cashews until it releases a nice aroma. Grind to a fine powder.
6) In a pan, add 1 tsp of oil and 2 tsp of ghee. Add 1 tsp of mustard seeds. Once the seeds splutter, add 1 tsp of cumin seeds, a few curry leaves.
7) Stir in thinly sliced onions and saute for a few minutes. Once the onions turn translucent, add the ground masala, salt and the karela pieces.
8) Add a little water to make sure the masala combines well with the bitter gourd.
9) Switch to low flame and add the cooked rice. Gently mix it with a fork. Serve hot with crispy potato fry!