Pavakka Theeyal Recipe - Spicy & Tangy Karela In Tamarind Gravy
A vegetarian Tamil Nadu recipe with karela (bitter gourd/ pavakkai), onion, tamarind water. Ready in 50 min, serves 3.
Curated byKavya Sharma🇮🇳
Instructions
22 steps- 1
To begin making the Pavakka Theeyal recipe, firstly cut the bitter gourds into semi circles and soak them in required salt water
tamarind water(1/4 cup)water(1/2 cups)salt - to taste - 2
After 15 minutes, squeeze the bitter gourds and keep it aside
- 3
The next step is to make the masala for Bitter Gourd curry
curry leaves(5)curry leaves(8) - 4
Add coconut, coriander seeds and dry red chillies into a heavy bottomed pan and dry roast till the coconut turns dark brown
fresh coconut(1 cup)tablespoons coriander (dhania) seeds(2)dry red chillies(6)methi seeds (fenugreek seeds) - a pinchcoconut oil(1 tablespoon)mustard seeds(1 teaspoon)dry red chillies(2) - 5
Then reduce the flame and add turmeric, fenugreek seeds, peppercorns and curry leaves
turmeric powder (haldi)(1/2 teaspoon)tablespoons coriander (dhania) seeds(2)methi seeds (fenugreek seeds) - a pinchwhole black peppercorns(3)curry leaves(5)mustard seeds(1 teaspoon)curry leaves(8) - 6
Let it cook for 1 more minute
- 7
After a minute, add coconut oil and switch off the heat
fresh coconut(1 cup)coconut oil(1 tablespoon) - 8
Add this gravy mixture into a grinder, add a little water and grind it into a smooth paste
tamarind water(1/4 cup)water(1/2 cups) - 9
Heat some more oil the same pan and add the cut bitter gourd
- 10
Stir fry them till the bitter gourd roundels become crispy
- 11
Once the bitter gourd becomes crispy, add onions and cook them till they turn soft and brown
onion(2) - 12
Add the grounded curry paste, tamarind juice, jaggery and 1-1/2 cups water
tamarind water(1/4 cup)water(1/2 cups)jaggery(1 teaspoon)curry leaves(5)curry leaves(8) - 13
Mix everything properly
- 14
Add salt in the curry and let it cook for about 5 to 6 minutes
salt - to tastecurry leaves(5)curry leaves(8) - 15
Once it is ready, switch off the heat
- 16
Next, to make the tadka for curry, heat oil in a tadka pan
curry leaves(5)curry leaves(8) - 17
When the oil is hot, add mustard seeds, curry leaves and dry red chillies
tablespoons coriander (dhania) seeds(2)dry red chillies(6)methi seeds (fenugreek seeds) - a pinchcurry leaves(5)mustard seeds(1 teaspoon)curry leaves(8)dry red chillies(2) - 18
Let it cook for about 30 seconds and add it to the curry
curry leaves(5)curry leaves(8) - 19
Give it a mix and it is ready to be served
- 20
Serve Pavakka Theeyal along with Palak Raita and Phulka for a weekday lunch with your family
- 21
You can also pack it in your Lunch box
- 22
You could also serve it along with Steamed rice, Snake Gourd Thoran Recipe (Turai Thoran) and drink a glass of Spiced Butter Milk With Coriander And Ginger Recipe with the meal
tablespoons coriander (dhania) seeds(2)
Rate this recipe
You might also like
Scan to Cook
Open this recipe page on your phone instantly by scanning the QR code.
Pavakka Theeyal Recipe - Spicy & Tangy Karela In Tamarind Gravy
A vegetarian Tamil Nadu recipe with karela (bitter gourd/ pavakkai), onion, tamarind water. Ready in 50 min, serves 3.
Curated byKavya Sharma🇮🇳
Estimated Nutrition Highlights
Interactive Servings Scaler
Scale the servings dynamically to update the ingredient checklist counts.
Ingredients Checklist
Directions
22 steps- 1
To begin making the Pavakka Theeyal recipe, firstly cut the bitter gourds into semi circles and soak them in required salt water
tamarind water(1/4 cup)water(1/2 cups)salt - to taste - 2
After 15 minutes, squeeze the bitter gourds and keep it aside
- 3
The next step is to make the masala for Bitter Gourd curry
curry leaves(5)curry leaves(8) - 4
Add coconut, coriander seeds and dry red chillies into a heavy bottomed pan and dry roast till the coconut turns dark brown
fresh coconut(1 cup)tablespoons coriander (dhania) seeds(2)dry red chillies(6)methi seeds (fenugreek seeds) - a pinchcoconut oil(1 tablespoon)mustard seeds(1 teaspoon)dry red chillies(2) - 5
Then reduce the flame and add turmeric, fenugreek seeds, peppercorns and curry leaves
turmeric powder (haldi)(1/2 teaspoon)tablespoons coriander (dhania) seeds(2)methi seeds (fenugreek seeds) - a pinchwhole black peppercorns(3)curry leaves(5)mustard seeds(1 teaspoon)curry leaves(8) - 6
Let it cook for 1 more minute
- 7
After a minute, add coconut oil and switch off the heat
fresh coconut(1 cup)coconut oil(1 tablespoon) - 8
Add this gravy mixture into a grinder, add a little water and grind it into a smooth paste
tamarind water(1/4 cup)water(1/2 cups) - 9
Heat some more oil the same pan and add the cut bitter gourd
- 10
Stir fry them till the bitter gourd roundels become crispy
- 11
Once the bitter gourd becomes crispy, add onions and cook them till they turn soft and brown
onion(2) - 12
Add the grounded curry paste, tamarind juice, jaggery and 1-1/2 cups water
tamarind water(1/4 cup)water(1/2 cups)jaggery(1 teaspoon)curry leaves(5)curry leaves(8) - 13
Mix everything properly
- 14
Add salt in the curry and let it cook for about 5 to 6 minutes
salt - to tastecurry leaves(5)curry leaves(8) - 15
Once it is ready, switch off the heat
- 16
Next, to make the tadka for curry, heat oil in a tadka pan
curry leaves(5)curry leaves(8) - 17
When the oil is hot, add mustard seeds, curry leaves and dry red chillies
tablespoons coriander (dhania) seeds(2)dry red chillies(6)methi seeds (fenugreek seeds) - a pinchcurry leaves(5)mustard seeds(1 teaspoon)curry leaves(8)dry red chillies(2) - 18
Let it cook for about 30 seconds and add it to the curry
curry leaves(5)curry leaves(8) - 19
Give it a mix and it is ready to be served
- 20
Serve Pavakka Theeyal along with Palak Raita and Phulka for a weekday lunch with your family
- 21
You can also pack it in your Lunch box
- 22
You could also serve it along with Steamed rice, Snake Gourd Thoran Recipe (Turai Thoran) and drink a glass of Spiced Butter Milk With Coriander And Ginger Recipe with the meal
tablespoons coriander (dhania) seeds(2)
Rate this recipe
You might also like · Tamil Nadu
Mullangi Curry Recipe
⏱️ 40 min
Kongunadu Style Senai Kilangu Masala Recipe - Yam in Spicy Gravy
⏱️ 40 min
Semiya Payasam With Coconut Milk Recipe
⏱️ 35 min
Carrot Pachadi With Coconut Recipe - Carrot Coconut Pachadi Recipe
⏱️ 15 min
Chettinad Egg Paniyaram Recipe | Rise Paniyaram Recipe
⏱️ 40 min
Angaya Podi Recipe
⏱️ 20 min