Bitter gourd Potato Curry / Karela Batata Sabzi

For ages, bitter gourd has been the one vegetable that does not have many takers due to its bitter taste. The health benefits of bitter gourd are numerous and it should be made in a way that appeals to kids as well as grown-ups. During my childhood in India, we had a Gujarati family in our building who were (partially) my daycare. They used to make this dish called ‘Karela Batata Nu Shaak’ quite often. It is them to whom I owe this recipe and the fond memories of this dish. The addition of a pinch of sugar helps you overcome the bitter taste of the gourd and the crunch of the cashews along with the ever-favourite potato make this an appealing dish.

Recipe Details :
Serves: 4 pax
Time: 30 mins
Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients :

• 4 small sized bitter gourd, peeled, seeds removed and cut into small crescents
• 1 big potato, cut into small cubes
• 1/4 cup crushed cashews
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 2 tbsp white sesame seeds
• 2 tsp coriander powder
• 1 tbsp coriander powder
• 1 tsp red chilli powder
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
• 1/4 cup chopped coriander
• 2 tsp sugar
• Salt to taste
• 2 tbsp oil
• Coriander for garnish (optional)

• Sprinkle some salt on the cut bitter gourd pieces and keep them aside.



• Take oil in a non stick vessel and wait for it to warm on medium flame.
• Add the cumin seeds and wait for them to splutter.
• Squeeze out the water from the bitter gourd and add the pieces in the vessel. Cover the vessel with a lid and let it cook for 7-8 mins on low flame.
• Then add the potato pieces along with a bit of salt and turmeric. Let the combination cook for a further 10 mins with the lid covered.
• Now add the chopped coriander, white sesame seeds and crushed cashews. Mix them well and let them cook for 2 mins. Keep the vessel uncovered at this stage.



• Finally add in the coriander powder, red chilli powder and sugar and mix them nicely into the cooked vegetables.



• Finally garnish with chopped coriander leaves. Serve hot with rice or rotis.

Tips:

• Preferably pick up young bitter gourd for this recipe.
• To remove the seeds easily, peel the bitter gourd, slice down vertically and use a spoon to remove the seeds.
• Squeeze the bitter gourd pieces well before adding them to the pan for cooking.