Vegetarian Food – Bitter Melon/Karela Tarkari (Nepali Food Recipe)

(Bitter Melon Curried in Yogurt)
INGREDIENTS

• 4 cups bitter melon, sliced in 1-in. length
• 1 cup onion, finely diced
• 1 cup red pepper, sliced in 1-in length
• 5 dried red chilies
• 3 fresh red chilies, minced
• 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
• 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ginger, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 tablespoon curry powder
• 2 cups yogurt
• 3 tablespoons cooking oil
• Salt and Pepper
• 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro (for garnish)

DIRECTIONS

• In a large pot of well-salted boiling water blanch bitter melon slices for a few minutes and transfer to ice bath.
• Blanching in heavily salted water reduces the bitterness of bitter melon.
• In a non-stick sauce pan, heat oil and fry mustard seeds and red chilies until dark.
• Add onion and green pepper; fry until light brown.
• Add turmeric, curry powder, chilies, garlic and ginger; mix for a minute or so.
• Add the blanched bitter melon and stir fry for five minutes.
• To the bitter melon mixture, add yogurt and salt; mix well to incorporate all ingredients.
• Cover and cook on medium heat for ten more minutes.
• Once a desired consistency of stew has been achieved, garnish with chopped cilantro and serve with steamed rice.

Source: http://nepalicooking.tripod.com
Author: Tulsi Regmi