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Kakarakaya Vepudu / Karela Sukhi Sabzi / Bitter Gourd Stir Fry

VegCookBook by Praveena
Low Oil Karela Fry, a South Indian Andhra style, quick & easy to make, pan fried Karela / Bitter Melon fry. Recipe below has step wise pics and tips for zero bitterness.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Accompaniment, Side Dish
Cuisine Indian, South Indian
Servings 4 servings

Equipment

  • Frying pan (for stove-top method)
  • Mixing Bowl / Vessel

Ingredients
  

  • 250 gms Karela / Bitter Gourd/ Kakarakaya (8 to 10 medium size (or) 4 palm size length)
  • 2 count Onion (medium size)
  • ½ teaspoons Turmeric Powder
  • 1½ teaspoons Red Chilli Powder (or as per taste)
  • 2 teaspoons Salt (or as per taste)
  • 3 tablespoons Cooking Oil
  • 1 tablespoon Crushed Garlic (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon Desiccated / fresh grated coconut (optional)

Instructions
 

Prep Work:

  • Wash the Bitter gourd / karela / kakarakaya . Cut off both the edges.
    Using the blunt side of the vegetable knife, gently scrape off the skin lightly.
    Then chop the bitter gourd/ kakarakaya into tiny pieces.
  • Take the pieces into a wide bowl and add 1½ teaspoons of salt.
    With your palm, mix the salt and pieces, by tightly pressing and squeezing them against your palm. Do this for 2-3 mins.
    Let the pieces rest in bowl for about 10 mins.
  • In the meanwhile, chop the onions into same size just like the Bittergourd / Karela pieces.

Cooking:

  • Put a frying pan on the stove top under medium heat.
    Add the oil, let it heat.
    Now, transfer all the chopped onion pieces and crushed garlic (optional ingredient).
    Shallow fry them until the onions turn transparent.
  • Immediately, transfer all the bitter gourd/ karela pieces into the pan.
    You can add the water, if anything has oozed out of the pieces in the bowl while squeezing out the salt.
    Add the turmeric powder, remaining salt, give a thorough mix.
    Let them shallow fry in the open pan for 10 mins.
  • Check if the bitter gourd / karela / kakarakaya pieces have softened and all the water content has evaporated. If not continue for 2 more mins.
  • Add the red chilli powder and desiccated coconut.
    Mix up everything. Let it stay on flame for 2 more mins.
    Then switch off the flame and transfer to a serving bowl. Done!!

Notes

Please see the MAIN POST for step wise pics & RECIPE TIPS!
Keyword bitter melon pan fry recipe, how to make bitter gourd recipe with zero bitterness, South Indian style karela fry recipe