Bitter Melon Stir Fry

Bitter melon stir fry is an easy and healthy side dish for rice and chapati. It is simple to make in just a few minutes.

Health Benefits of Bitter Melon:

Bitter melon is a healthy green vegetable that helps to lower the blood sugar levels. The antimicrobial properties in the bitter melon help to purify the blood. Regular consumption of bitter melon helps to boost the immune system. Because of its nutritious properties, bitter melon capsules are available in the market.

Bitter melon is widely used in Indian cuisine. It is known as Pavakkai, bitter gourd, bitter squash, and karela. Bitter melon stir fry is a popular South Indian recipe, check out the similar type of side dishes Eggplant stir fry and Potato Pepper Fry.

Smart Cooking Tips:

1. Marinating the bitter melon with salt is optional. It helps to reduce the bitterness. If you are marinating with salt, make sure to rinse with water thoroughly before start cooking.

2. Add spices according to your taste.

3. Keep stirring often to avoid the bitter melon and onions getting burned.

How to reduce bitterness from bitter melon?

Most of them would not prefer including the bitter melon in the diet because of its bitter taste. You can marinate the bitter melon with spices and deep fry for a crunchy snack. But deep frying the bitter melon tends to lose its nutrition.

Here are the few tips to reduce the bitterness from bitter melon.

1. Chop, deseed and marinate the bitter melon with salt for 15 to 20 mins. Bitter melon oozes the water after some time, squeeze out the water from bitter melon, rinse with the water thoroughly and use it in the recipe.

2. Chop, deseed and parboil the bitter melon. Strain the bitter melon from water and use it in the recipe.

Bitter Melon Stir Fry

Bitter melon stir fry is an easy and healthy side dish for rice and chapati. It is simple to make in just a few minutes.

• 2 no Bitter Melon (Pavakkai)
• 1 cup Onion Chopped
• 2 tbsp Oil
• 1 tsp Salt (to taste) + some for marinating (optional)
• 1 tsp Red Chili Powder
• 1 pinch Turmeric Powder
• 2 tsp Coriander Powder

1. Wash the bitter melon, cut in the center, remove the seeds and chop them finely. 

2. Add a generous amount of salt to the chopped bitter melon and marinate for 15 to 20 minutes. The bitter melon oozes water after marinating with salt, squeeze out the water content from bitter melon and rinse thoroughly in the fresh water. This step is optional it helps to reduce the bitterness in the bitter melon.

3. In a pan, heat oil, add chopped onion and cook until the onion turns soft.

4. Add bitter melon, salt, turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder and mix well.

5. Sprinkle little amount of water, cover and cook until bitter melon turns soft. Uncover and cook for a few minutes until the bitter melon color changes to golden brown. Bitter melon stir fry is ready to serve.

How to serve bitter melon?

Serve bitter melon as a side dish with rice and chapati.

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