Saturday, August 2, 2008

Bitter gourd Stir Fry

Familiarity breeds contempt is proving to be true in the ongoing presidential race. The more I see of both the candidates the more I don't like either one of them. A couple or three months ago I would have voted for McCain as any other candidate in equal probability but not any more. That is saying a lot because I am pretty sure you know I am donkey or a elephant person by now. Can't resist one last attempt at projecting my candidate. Clinton would have made a great candidate just for this reason, there is nothing much unknown about her to cause any great ripples midway through the election. The next president will have a lot to do with the state of the world! We do have a big responsibility on our hands.

But the story of bitter gourds is a lot different. The more I taste this vegetable the more I like it. The upside to growing fresh bittergourd I get super fresh produce but the downside is I can't get myself to buy them from the grocery store during the other nine months of the year and end up missing them dearly. The soggy dried up bitter gourd at the grocery store, makes me run away from them as quickly as possible.

I also added some young green chilies from the garden. The chilies when cooked in a stir fry acquire the taste of the spices and turn tasty themselves.

This stir fry might be one dish for people who are not fond of bittergourd. With the onions and amchur powder added to the crunchiness of the bitter gourd is a beginner's treat. Bitter gourd is ofcourse an acquired taste so getting used to takes some time.


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Bitter gourd

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Green chilies

This recipe goes to Jessica of Finny Knits who is hosting this fortnight's GYO 2008, started by Andrea of Andreas Recipes.
    Green Earth Does handwashing consume more water or a fully loaded dishwasher? A fully loaded dishwasher consumes far less water and the quantity of soap used compared to washing the same load by hand. Running a fully loaded dish washer and turning of the heated drying might be the best of both worlds. The dishwasher is a life saver when you have a sink full of dirty dishes and not much time to tackle them. Knowing that running your dishwasher does not make you a environmentally irresponsibile slob is nice to know right? Here are a couple of blog articles that talk about it, Treehugger - Dishwasher vs Handwashing: the Winner Green Living - Ask the Eco Geek: Dishwasher vs. Handwashing


Bitter gourd is a natural cure for diabetics. Drinking the juice of bitter gourds is supposed to lower blood sugar.

Serves: 2-3
Ingredients
1. 3 Bitter gourds, seeds removed and chopped fine
2. 1 Medium sized Vidalia onion chopped fine
3. 2 young green chilies sliced into thin rounds
4. 2 garlic cloves chopped fine
5. 1/4 tsp cumin powder
6. 2 tsp coriander powder
7. 1 tsp of garlic chutney powder (this was very spicy, if using chili powder adjust accordingly)
8. 1 tsp amchur powder
9. 1 tsp jaggery (optional, I did not add it)
10. salt to taste.
11. 2 tsp of oil


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Method
1. In a wok or a wide mouthed pan, heat oil.
2. Add the garlic saute for a few seconds, add the chopped chilies and then add the chopped onions and saute for a few minutes.
3.Add the chopped bitter gourd tossing now and then. Don't stir too much.
4. When the bitter gourd is half cooked add the powders(except cumin) and salt. If adding jaggery don't add it yet. Stir to let the powders coat.
5. Keep stirring till they are cooked and reached the required roastedness (15-20mts)
6. Add the jaggery if doing so and mix well and remove from the heat.

Serve as a side.

9 comments:

  1. heheh..very true...but somehow I can never get myself like this one...but your garden ones are so lovely to look at!!!

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  2. Hmmmm... I on the other hand cannot get enough of Obama and I am a huge fan of his. I agree that it is sickening to see the amount of finger poiting etc, but neverthe less that is politics.

    Anyway, on a lighter note, the curry recipe is super. We love bittergourd at home and this is a must try :-)

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  3. Happy friendship day Indo, enjoy the weekend buddy!:)

    My Snake and Ridge gourd didn't fruit this year as well although plant is growing very well!:P

    Bitter gourd plant looks wonderful, I got few bottle gourds too. It's too hot for the plants, constantly at 94+F everyday, rains once in a while. We are going to Georgis Aquarium next weekend, will check my mail after that.Take care!:)

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  4. Oh thanks for that dishwasher vs hand washing trivia Indo... I always knew that I use more water than a dishwasher, since I have this OCD - must triple wash everything! It is good to know it is a proven fact! :)Now if only they started making dishwashable non-stick pans... :)

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  5. Valli, you will eventually :) give it a bit more time!

    RC, on both counts it is a love hate relationship!

    Asha, Happy Friendship Day! to you too dear. Give it a bit more time, the snake and ridge gourds start to fruit in August.

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  6. Thank you for the recipe. I am gonna try this one today.

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  7. Nice twist. Love the use of amchur powder! Am so trying this out!! :)

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  8. Hi...
    This is a best way to eat bittergourd. Nice recipe. So healthy!

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  9. ur bitter gourds are such a beauty to look at ;)

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