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If you are not a fan of bitter gourd or karela, it's time to give it a chance. Karela, also known as bitter melon, is an extremely nutritious vegetable that has a unique taste that might take some getting used to. Karela is a vegetable that is often overlooked due to its strong and distinct bitter taste. However, this gourd vegetable is packed with essential nutrients that are beneficial for our health, such as fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants.
Here are 6 Desi karela recipes that will make you fall in love with this gourd vegetable.
1. Karela Sabzi Recipe
Karela sabzi is a simple yet delicious recipe that can be prepared in a jiffy. It is made by slicing the bitter gourd into thin rounds and then cooking it with onions, tomatoes, and spices. This sabzi tastes great with roti or rice. This karela sabzi recipe requires 2 karela, 1 chopped onion, 1 chopped tomato, some ginger-garlic paste, cumin seeds, coriander powder, turmeric powder, and salt to taste. First, slice the karela into thin rounds. Heat oil in a pan and add cumin seeds, chopped onion, and ginger-garlic paste. Sauté until the onion is translucent. Then, add the chopped tomato and sauté until it's soft. Add the sliced karela, coriander powder, turmeric powder, and salt to taste. Mix well, cover, and cook on medium heat for 15 to 20 minutes, until the karela is cooked through. Serve with roti or rice.
Taste: Spicy
Total time: 25 minutes
Prep time: 10 minutes
Calories per serving: 70
2. Karela Chips Recipe
If you are a fan of potato chips, you will love karela chips. This recipe is a healthier alternative to potato chips and is easy to make. Karela chips are crispy and flavorful and make a great snack.
For this karela fry recipe, you'll need 2 karela, some red chili powder, cumin powder, salt to taste, and oil for frying. Start by slicing the karela into thin rounds and adding salt to taste. Set aside for 10 minutes, then rinse the karela slices and pat them dry. In a bowl, mix the karela slices with red chili powder, cumin powder, and salt to taste. Heat oil in a pan and fry the karela slices until crispy and golden brown. Drain excess oil on a paper towel and serve.
Taste: Spicy
Total time: 20 minutes
Prep time: 10 minutes
Calories per serving: 120
3. Karela Masala Recipe
Karela masala is a flavorful dish that is perfect for lunch or dinner. It is made by stuffing the bitter gourd with a spicy onion and tomato masala. This dish pairs well with roti or rice. To make this stuffed karela recipe, you'll need 2 karela, 1 chopped onion, 1 chopped tomato, 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste, 1 tsp cumin seeds, 1 tsp coriander powder, 1/2 tsp turmeric powder, and salt to taste. First, slit the karela lengthwise and remove the seeds. In a pan, heat oil and add cumin seeds, chopped onion, and ginger-garlic paste. Sauté until the onion is translucent. Add the chopped tomato and sauté until it's soft. Add coriander powder, turmeric powder, and salt to taste. Stuff the karela with the onion and tomato masala. Heat oil in a pan and fry the stuffed karela until cooked through.
Taste: Spicy
Total time: 40 minutes
Prep time: 15 minutes
Calories per serving: 80
4. Karela Juice Recipe
Karela juice is a healthy and nutritious drink that can be consumed daily. You make it by blending bitter gourd with water and a sweetener like honey or jaggery. Karela juice is known to have numerous health benefits and can help regulate blood sugar levels. All you will need are 1 karela, 1 cup of water, and 1 teaspoon of honey or jaggery. Wash the karela and cut off the ends. Cut the karela into small pieces and remove the seeds. Add the karela pieces and 1 cup water to a blender, and blend until smooth. Strain the juice through a sieve and discard any pulp. Add the honey or jaggery to the juice and mix well. Serve chilled.
Taste: Bitter
Total time: 5 minutes
Prep time: 5 minutes
Calories per serving: 30
5. Karela Paratha Recipe
Karela paratha is a delicious and healthy version of the popular Indian flatbread. It is made by stuffing the paratha with a spicy karela filling. Karela paratha makes for a great breakfast or lunch option. To make this karela paratha recipe, you'll need 1 cup wheat flour, 2 grated karela, some ginger-garlic paste, cumin seeds, coriander powder, turmeric powder, salt to taste, and oil for cooking. First, grate the karela and squeeze out the excess water. In a bowl, mix the grated karela with ginger-garlic paste, cumin seeds, coriander powder, turmeric powder, and salt to taste. Add wheat flour and knead into a dough. Divide the dough into equal-sized balls. Roll out each ball into a circle and cook on a tawa or griddle with a little oil until golden brown on both sides. Serve with raita or pickles.
Taste: Spicy
Total time: 30 minutes
Prep time: 15 minutes
Calories per serving: 200
6. Karela Chutney Recipe
Karela chutney is a unique and flavorful dip that pairs well with snacks like samosas or pakoras. To make it, you blend the bitter gourd with herbs and spices to make a tangy, hot chutney. This recipe features a unique and flavorful dip made with bitter gourd, or karela. To prepare this dip, cut 1 karela into small pieces and boil it in water for 5-7 minutes before blending it with some chopped onion, chopped tomato, green chilies, cumin seeds, coriander powder, salt to taste, and a handful of coriander leaves. Blend until smooth, and serve as a delicious dip with your favorite Indian snacks, like samosas or pakoras.
Taste: Tangy and Spicy
Total time: 15 minutes
Prep time: 5 minutes
Calories per serving: 40
What to Serve with These Recipes
Karela Masala can be served with roti, rice, or any Indian bread of your choice. Karela Sabzi can be served as a side dish with dal, rice, and any Indian bread of your choice. Karela paratha can be served with raita or pickle for breakfast or lunch. Karela Chutney is an excellent accompaniment to samosas, pakoras, or any other snack of your choice.
These six delicious Desi karela recipes will not only help you embrace the unique flavor of this vegetable but also give you the opportunity to explore new and exciting flavors in your meals. Whether you are a fan of spicy, tangy, or savory flavors, these recipes will surely satisfy your taste buds and leave you wanting more. So, don't hesitate to give karela a chance and discover a whole new world of flavors and health benefits!
