Pavakka (Bitter gourd) Mezhukkupuratty

Ingredients

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• Bitter gourd / Pavakka - 2 nos
• Onion - 1/2 chopped
• Curry Leaves - a handful
• Mustard seeds- 1/4 tsp
• Green Chilli - 2 slit
• Dried Red Chilli -2
• Coconut Flakes - 1/4 cup
• Red chilli powder - 1/2 tsp
• Turmeric Powder - 1/4 tsp
• Salt - To taste
• Oil

Method
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1. Slice bitter gourd to thin  pieces.
2. Add green chilli and 1 to 2 tsp salt and mix well. Keep aside for 20 minutes. After 20 mins  water will ooze out from bitter gourd. Squeeze the water and preserve the bitter gourd pieces.  ( this is done to reduce the bitterness).
3. In a pan add 1 tsp oil and add squeezed bitter gourd pieces. Cover the pan and cook till it is done and turns light brown in color. Keep stirring in between.
4. In a heated wok add 2 tbsp oil. Splutter mustard seeds followed by curry leaves and Dried red chilli.
5. Add chopped onions and coconut flakes and saute till onion becomes light brown.
6. Add turmeric and chilli powder and salt and mix well.
7. Add  cooked bitter gourd pieces and mix well.
8. Keep in low flame stirring in between till it becomes nice and brown.
9. Serve hot with rice.

Notes

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1. Adding salt to bitter gourd pieces and keeping them for at least 20 mins and squeezing the water oozing out from it helps to reduce bitterness.
2. Adding coconut flakes gives a nice crunchiness and balances the bitter taste of this dish.
3. The more curry leaves are added, the more tasty the dish will be.