Would you believe it if we said that bitter gourd can be one of your favorite vegetables? Well, you will after you read this article till the end.
Bitter gourd, also known as Karela is an underrated vegetable in most parts of the world. It is an instant ‘no’ for kids and for adults too. Though it has a bitter taste, the health properties that it contains are beyond words. It is a holy grail for diabetic patients, produces enzymes good for digestion, purifies blood, gives a natural glow, and is excessively rich in antioxidants and vitamins.
Bitter gourd is not just a healthy vegetable but can also be exceptionally yummy using some wonderful culinary ways. Let’s see some of the dishes that prove that there’s nothing bitter about bitter gourds.
Top 15 Dishes That Will Make You Fall In Love With Bitter Gourds
1. Khatta Meetha Karela
This dish is a compilation of the sweet, tangy, and savory tastes of tamarind and jaggery mixed to produce a sweet and savory taste. The karela is cooked with several other ingredients such as ginger, coriander, turmeric, chilies, and cumin. The sweet and sour flavor brings a unique dish to the table which will definitely change your perspectives about bitter gourd.
2. Dahi Karela
This is a famous Punjabi recipe made with curd, tomatoes, onions, and lots of herbs and spices. Firstly, the seeds of karela which are said to be toxic are scraped out by cutting the gourd open. The bitterness can be eliminated by rubbing salt over the karelas and then they are shallow-fried in a pan. Later, the veggies are sautéed in another pan with spices added to it. Throw some beaten curd into the pan and finally stir with the fried karela. Garnish with coriander leaves and encounter the unreal taste of bitter gourds.
3. Karela Chips
A perfect evening snack for your Chai, these karela chips will certainly not disappoint you. These karela chips are made solely to change your thoughts about karela and how good they can actually be. These chips are made by mixing ring-shaped chopped karela in a marinade of gram flour, rice flour, chat masala, and salt. Drizzled with your favorite seasoning makes it a perfect binge-worthy snack for you.
4. Stir Fry Karela
This is the most common karela dish made in no time. Simply, sauté the chopped karelas in a pan mixed with some ground spices like turmeric, chili powder, coriander powder, etc. Lastly, add some besan or gram flour till it takes the perfect golden-brown color. It pairs well with some ghee-dipped paranthas or phulkas.
5. Stuffed Karela
Stuffed or Bharwa Karela is the most loved and cherished karela recipe by most of us. It is a Punjabi delicacy but is devoured in most Indian households. The karelas are stuffed with filling made of tangy tomatoes, onions, and ginger garlic paste. It oozes with a melange of spices and some unparalleled flavors.
6. Karela Meetha Aachar
The most tempting thing about this karela aachar is the tangy fragrance of tamarind and jaggery. Making this aachar is definitely a long and lengthy process but the taste is just perfect to be added to any meal.
7. Karela Bhurji
Karela bhurji is a simple and easy dish that can be made with not too many frills. Simply, grate or chop the karelas and the extra veggies into a bowl, Rub salt to minimize bitterness. Sauté asafoetida or hing with the veggies together and crackle some favorite spices. Sprinkle with coriander leaves and enjoy the simply amazing karela dish.
8. Karela Tikki
To gain the maximum health benefits from karelas, it is important to keep the juices and their bitterness intact. This Tikki recipe does not require shedding away its bitterness as the spices and flavors balance out the bitterness very well. Mix the grated karelas with other veggies such as carrots, onions, and spices into a bowl. Cook the tikkis on a heating pan and serve hot. It tastes best with some pudina chutney and a masala chai.
9. Shukto
A Bengali delicacy, this shukto dish is every bong’s favorite meal option. It is a compilation of a lot of vegetables such as bitter gourd, eggplant, potatoes green bananas, drumsticks, and flat beans. They are extremely rich in taste and highly nutritious which makes them a definite must-try.
10. Karela Muthia
Karela muthia is the perfect snack option for your mid-day or midnight cravings for a guilt-free munching. This is a special snack delight from Gujarati cuisine. It features ingredients such as jowar, rice and besan atta, and some ground spices. They are kneaded and made into thin rolls. After that, they are steamed and cut into small cylindrical balls and finally shallow fried. They are diabetic-friendly, healthy, and breathtakingly delicious.
11. Karela Thepla
Karela thepla is a Gujarati variety which is a simple flatbread made with peels of karela which are kneaded well with the dough. It is rolled into a flat theplas mixed with ground spices and lastly cooked on a hot tawa until bright golden-brown spots appear. Serve it with some achar and chutney to enhance the flavors.
12. Karela Bateta Nu Shaak
Bateta means potatoes that are combined with karela to prepare this amazing Gujarati recipe. Chop the karelas with seeds discarded and sliced potatoes. In a heating pan, start by adding cumin seeds and asafoetida and mix all the ingredients and spices. Lastly, add crushed cashews and coriander leaves and serve hot.
13. Karela Peel Kadhi
This karela recipe will make you a fan of karelas. The peels are the most bitter part of karelas which are added to the besan and curd to cook this delicious kadhi recipe. The bitterness balances out and tastes extremely satisfying combined with the flavors of curd and spices.
14. Dry Karela Chutney
Karela in powdery chutney form? Sounds interesting. This karela recipe is one of a kind. The karelas are minced into small pieces after they are sun-dried. Black lentils and chickpea lentils are dry roasted and in order to minimize the bitterness, dry tamarind and jaggery are added and all the ingredients are finely blended. Pair this chutney as a side meal and you’ll fall in love.
15. Aamchuri karela
This aamchuri karela is an instant hit as the tangy twist added to the natural bitterness of karelas will amplify the flavors of the dish. Start with deep frying the karelas with the seeds discarded, then in a hot pan add cumin seeds, asafoetida, and carom seeds. Add the karelas and keep stirring. Lastly, add the amchur or mango powder for the tangy flavors and other ground spices and let it cook. Serve with some hot phulkas and enjoy!
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