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.

Bitter gourd


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

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.