Stuffed Karela

Stuffed Karela

Stuffed karela is a classic Indian dish. It makes a great side dish to any meal. The trick is to mask the bitter taste of karela with smart choice of spices and ingredients. This recipe is sure to entice all!!
Ingredients:
10 small size karela
1/2 cup pea nuts
1/4 cup til (sesame seeds)
1 big onion
8 garlic pods
1 tea spoon red chili powder
1 small lemon size tamarind
1 tea spoon jeera
2 strands curry leaves
1/4 cup chopped coriander leaves
1/2 tea spoon garam masala powder
1 tea spoon jaggery
1/2 tea spoon haldi
1/2 cup oil
Salt to tatse
Preparation:
1.Wash and lightly scrape the upper part of karela and slit the kerala length wise, remove the seeds.
2.Chop the onions .
3.Smear salt inside and outside of the karela and rest for 20 minutes.
4. Roast peanuts and til separately.
5.. Grind together roasted peanuts, til, chopped onions, garlic, red chili powder, tamarind, jeera, curry leaves, coriander leaves, jaggery, garam masala powder, haldi and salt coarsely.
6.. Squeeze the karela smeared with salt to remove the bitterness.
7.. Wash the karela in warm water and squeeze again to remove the bitterness of the karela completely.
8.. Stuff the karela with the ground masala.
9.Heat oil in a flat pan and line the karelas, cover and cook on a slow flame.
10. Slowly turn the karela, taking care not to spill the stuffing, cover and cook till karela turns dark brown.
11. Serve with rice as a side dish or with roti.