About Stuffing Bitter Gourd
As the name suggests, Bharwa Karela means stuffed bitter gourd prepared with a flavorful filling. This is a popular recipe from North India. bitter gourd can be cooked in many ways, such as sweet yogurt bitter gourd or fried bitter gourd. Here, I am sharing my family’s favorite recipe for Bharwa Karela, made by my mom. I have prepared it using onions and a variety of spices to give it a delicious twist.
stuffed bitter gourd is highly enjoyed with dal, Rajasthani kadhi, roti, paratha, or naan. It also makes for an excellent side dish. Although karela (bitter gourd) may not be everyone’s favorite due to its bitter taste, it is considered very beneficial for health. While preparing stuffed bitter gourd, I have tied it with threads to ensure that the dry onion stuffing doesn’t spill out during cooking.
And this way, we can prepare the perfect stuffed bitter gourd recipe. Adding onions to the bitter gourd imparts a slight sweetness, enhancing the overall taste of the dish and reducing the bitterness while eating. The specialty of stuffed bitter gourd is that it can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days and reheated in the microwave whenever you want to enjoy it. If you wish to have stuffed bitter gourd as a main dish, it pairs wonderfully with your favorite accompaniments.
You can prepare stuffed bitter gourd by mixing it with tomatoes, ginger-garlic paste, and spices to make a gravy. However, I prefer to enjoy it as a side dish. In this recipe, I’ve shared some tips and suggestions, which you will find at the end of the recipe. By following these, you can make a great stuffed bitter gourd. bitter gourd has many health benefits, helping protect our body from diseases and contributing to overall better health.
For instance, people with diabetes often drink bitter gourd juice to help control the sugar levels in their body. Karela is rich in vitamins, including vitamin C, folic acid, thiamine, and more. Half a cup of fresh bitter gourd contains about 93-95% of the daily recommended intake of vitamin C. This quantity increases even more when the bitter gourd is fresh and new.
Whether it’sstuffed bitter gourd or fry bitter gourd, always buy small and green bitter gourd from the market. This helps enhance the flavor of the dish significantly. So, do try my healthystuffed bitter gourd recipe. For more new and different recipes to try, click on the link provided in the side bar.
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About Bitter gourd (Bharwa karela)
Ingredients
How to make stuffing bitter gourd (Bharwa karela)
Preparation time
Tips and FAQ
Ingredients
Karela (Bitter Gourd) – 1/2 kilogram
Onion – 3 medium
Tomato – 1
Green Chili – 1
Salt – to taste
Red Chili Powder – 1 teaspoon
Coriander Powder – 1 teaspoon
Turmeric Powder – 1/2 teaspoon
Sugar – 4 teaspoons
Amchur (Dried Mango Powder) – 1 teaspoon
Oil – 1 tablespoon
Cumin Seeds – 1/2 teaspoon
Asafoetida (Hing) – 1/4 teaspoon
How to make stuffed bitter gourd
To make Bharwa Karela, first, make slits in the karela with a knife. Then, fill it with salt and set it aside for 2 hours. After 2 hours, rinse the karela thoroughly with water to remove all the salt. Press it gently to squeeze out any extra water.
Next, finely chop the onion, tomato, and green chili. Add salt, turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder, amchur powder, and sugar. Mix everything well and add a little oil to the mixture. Stuff this prepared filling into the karela, one by one, and tie them with a thread.
Now, take a non-stick pan, add cumin seeds and asafoetida. Add the stuffed karelas one by one into the pan and cover with a lid. Let them cook on medium heat for 15-20 minutes. After that, reduce the heat and continue cooking on low heat, turning the karelas occasionally. Once the karelas become soft, turn off the gas.
Bharwa Karela is ready! You can serve it with plain paratha or roti.
Tips
If the bitter gourd is red from the inside and fully ripe, avoid using such bitter gourd for making the vegetable.
You can also add garam masala powder to the onion mixture if you prefer. I have skipped it here.
Bitter gourd can be prepared either peeled or unpeeled. If made without peeling, it becomes even more flavorful and delicious.
FAQ
Is it necessary to soak karela in salted water?
Yes, soaking bitter gourd in salted water helps reduce its bitterness. The salt draws out the bitterness, making the karela milder in taste.
What to do with leftover stuffing?
If there’s leftover stuffing for the bitter gourd, don’t throw it away. You can add it to the side of the bitter gourd in the pan and let it cook along with the stuffed bitter gourd. Once cooked, it becomes delicious and can be served alongside the bitter gourd on the plate. It adds extra flavor to the dish.
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