Thursday, September 13, 2007

GBP - Bitter Gourd Thoran


I like growing vegetables in my compound. In February, I had a good harvest of Pumpkins from my backyard. This inspired me to grow Bitter Gourd this time. In April, I sowed the seeds, which were bought from a nursery. It began to give yield from last month onwards! Now, every week I get enough Bitter Gourds to make a dish!


Bitter Gourd climbing on to my Curry leaves Tree!

Bitter Gourds are rich in vitamins and have medicinal properties. Learn more about them here and here.

This is my contribution to Deepz of LETZCOOK who is hosting the Green Blog Project - Summer 2007 (April - Oct) event. Green Blog Project was started by Inji of Ginger and Mango.

Ingredients:

Bitter gourd -3 chopped
Onions -2 chopped
Green chillies -4 slit
Curry leaves -1 sprig
Turmeric powder -1\4 tsp
Grated coconut -1\2 cup
Salt -to taste
Mustard seeds -1\2 tsp
Cumin seeds - a pinch
Coconut oil -2 tbsp

Method:

In a pan, mix together bitter gourd, onions, green chillies, curry leaves, turmeric powder, grated coconut and salt. Keep it aside. Heat oil in a non stick pan, add mustard seeds and cumin seeds. Once the mustard seeds splutter, add the mixed ingredients. Cover and cook on a low flame. Open the lid every 5 minutes and mix well. Once it is cooked, remove the lid and fry for 2 minutes. If you prefer, you can add 1\2 tsp sugar to the thoran while frying. Serve it with steamed rice.

10 comments:

FH said...

How lucky are you? Curry leaves tree and then bitter gourd on top.I am jealous!Thoran looks yum Lissie:))
My latest post is for GBP too!

Padma said...

You are so lucky to have curry leaves and bitter gourds handy...Such a big tree, mind blowing...Nice thoran and u know curry leaves are so costly here in US :(
I envy you!

Bharathy said...

Wow!How nice to grow pavakka at home!!

I too follow exactly the same recipe but add little bit of tamarind pulp to suppress the bitterness of pavakka!In kerala we get fleshy,while and less bitter ones!!Here in T.N they are dark green and more bitter...
They are so good for health as you have mentioned lissie!:)..esp kaipakka juice..LOL

Lissie said...

thanx asha, padma and bharathy! in fact i am lucky to have cuury leaves at home! bharathy,i too like the white kerala variety bitter gourd. but it is not seen here in bangalore.

Seena said...

Nice to see the curry leaves tree with bitter gourds! Mexican rice looks delicous..

Chef Jeena said...

Hi Lissie I love your tree it is great you can grow your own veggies. I love your recipe it looks delicious! Lissie I thought I had already added you to my links, I've done it now. :)

amna said...

i really dont like bitter gourd but this brings back memories of my mom's curry.. think she adds tamarind also..

wish i had curry leaves so accessible.. have to buy them fresh each time i cook!

Finla said...

I am not a big fan of Bittergroud. When i was younger my mom used to force us to eat them saying they were good.
I am jealous of your curry leaves plant

Viji said...

Thoran from the garden. What else we need. Nice dish Lissie. Viji

Prajusha said...

wow..u r so lucky.it is really nice to have our own garden.Both kariveppila and pavakka looks lovely.:)