Pavakka Varutharacha Curry / Pavakka Theeyal / Bitter Gourd in Roasted Coconut Gravy

Ingredients

Bitter gourd – 2 big

Onions – 2 medium sliced

Turmeric powder – 1 tsp

Water – 3 cups

Salt – to taste

Tamarind – 1 big lemon size

Water – 1 cup

Grated jaggery – to taste

For Dry Roasting

Grated coconut – 2 cups

Garlic – 4 small

Coriander seeds – 5 tsp

Dry red chillies – 4

Peppercorns – 1/2 tsp

Cumin seeds – 1 tsp

Coconut oil – 2 tsp

For Tempering

Coconut oil –  1 tbsp

Mustard seeds – 1 tsp

Small onions – 8 sliced

Dry red chillies – 3 broken

Curry leaves – 3 sprigs

Method

Cut the bitter gourd into two lengthwise, remove the seeds.  Wash and slice them.  Cook them along with onions, turmeric powder, water and salt till done.  Soak the tamarind in water.  Dry roast the mentioned ingredients, cool and grind to a fine paste using enough water.  Add the ground paste, tamarind water and jaggery to the cooked bitter gourd.  Add more water if required.  Mix well and simmer for 5 minutes.  Heat oil in a pan and splutter mustard seeds.  Fry the small onions, chillies and curry leaves.  Pour it over the curry and mix well.  Serve delicious ‘Pavakka Varutharacha Curry / Bitter Gourd in Roasted Coconut Gravy’ with rice.  Cheers!