Karlyachi Bhaji

Name: Karlyachi Bhaji
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 2-3 servings
Ingredients: 2 cups Bitter Gourd, sliced; 2 tablespoons oil; 1 teaspoon Mustard Seed; 1 teaspoon Cumin, seeds; 1 pinch asafoetida; 1 medium Onion, finely chopped; 1 teaspoon turmeric powder; 1 teaspoon red chili powder; 1 teaspoon coriander powder; 1 teaspoon jaggery; 1 tablespoon Tamarind, pulp; salt, to taste; 2 tablespoons Cilantro, chopped

Veg Vegan

Bitter gourd with peanuts and jaggery — karle (bitter gourd) sliced into thin rounds, salted and squeezed to remove some bitterness, then dry-fried in oil with mustard seeds, dried red chilli, curry leaves, and turmeric until the bitterness mellows and the slices develop golden caramelised spots, seasoned with red chilli powder, salt, a pinch of tamarind water, jaggery, and roasted peanut powder at the end. The Maharashtra approach to karle uses jaggery and peanuts to create a sweet-sour-bitter counterpoint rather than trying to eliminate the bitterness entirely. The final preparation has four perceptible flavours simultaneously — bitter from the gourd, sweet from jaggery, sour from tamarind, and nutty from peanuts. Eaten with bhakri or rice; considered one of the most medicinal everyday preparations in Vidarbha's home cooking.

Cuisines

Malvani Vidarbha Kolhapuri Malwi Maharashtrian

Best for

Lunch Dinner

Recipe

Prep: 15 min Cook: 25 min Total: 40 min 2-3 servings

Ingredients

	2 cups	Bitter Gourd , sliced
	2 tablespoons	Oil
	1 teaspoon	Mustard Seed
	1 teaspoon	Cumin , seeds
	1 pinch	Asafoetida
	1 medium	Onion , finely chopped
	1 teaspoon	Turmeric powder
	1 teaspoon	Red chili powder
	1 teaspoon	Coriander powder
	1 teaspoon	Jaggery
	1 tablespoon	Tamarind , pulp
	—	Salt , to taste
	2 tablespoons	Cilantro , chopped

Instructions

1 Wash the bitter gourd thoroughly and cut it into thin slices.
2 Heat oil in a pan over medium heat and add mustard seeds.
3 Once the mustard seeds splutter, add cumin seeds and asafoetida.
4 Add the chopped onion and sauté until it turns golden brown.
5 Add the sliced bitter gourd and stir well.
6 Add turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder, and salt.
7 Mix everything well and cover the pan. Cook on low heat for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
8 Add jaggery and tamarind pulp, mix well, and cook for another 5 minutes until the bitter gourd is tender.
9 Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and serve hot.

Tips

To reduce the bitterness of the gourd, you can soak the slices in salted water for 15 minutes before cooking.