Baked Bitter Gourd Kichadi - Pavakka Kichadi
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Author:
Recipe type: Side
Cuisine: Indian
Serves: 6 People
Ingredients
For baking Bitter Gourd
  • Bitter gourd (pavakka or karela), cut into thin rounds, remove seeds and pith- 4
  • Chili powder- ¾ to 1 tsp
  • Turmeric powder- ¼ tsp
  • Yogurt- 3 tbsp
  • Rice flour- ½ tbsp
  • Oil- ½ tbsp
  • Salt- a few pinches
To grind
  • Coconut, grated- ½ cup
  • Turmeric powder- ⅛ tsp
  • Cumin seeds- ½ tsp
  • Water- enough to make paste
For making kichadi
  • Oil- 1 tbsp
  • Mustard seeds- ½ tsp
  • Red whole dry chilies- 2
  • Curry leaves- 1 sprig
  • Beaten Yogurt, not sour- ¼ cup
  • Salt- to taste
Instructions
  1. Cut the bitter gourd into round slices, make sure to remove the seeds and pith from them.
  2. In a bowl, marinate the bitter gourd slices with chili powder, turmeric powder, yogurt, rice flour and oil for 20 minutes.
  3. You could either fry or bake the bitter gourd.
  4. If baking, preheat oven to 425 F or 220 C.
  5. Place the marinated bitter gourd slices on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil.
  6. Spray the aluminum foil with non-stick cooking spray.
  7. Bake it for 40 minutes. After 20 minutes of baking, take the baking sheet out of the oven and flip the slices to the other side and bake again for 20 more minutes till they turn crispy and gets golden brown in color.
  8. Remove from the oven and let cool down.
  9. Grind the coconut along with cumin seeds, turmeric powder and enough water to make a smooth paste.
  10. Place a saucepan over medium heat, add oil.
  11. Add mustard seeds, let it splutter.
  12. Add dry red chilies and curry leaves, saute for a few seconds.
  13. Add the ground coconut paste, season with salt, combine well and cook for a few minutes till the raw taste goes away.
  14. Add the baked bitter gourd slices to the coconut mixture, combine well and cook for a couple of minutes.
  15. If the mixture is too thick you could add little water to thin it down and cook for a minute.
  16. Remove the pan from the heat, let cool down for a minute and then add the beaten yogurt and combine well.
  17. Do not add yogurt while keeping the pan over the heat, it will curdle.
  18. Keep the pan covered for sometime.
  19. Serve this as a side dish with rice. Or serve this along with other Sadya dishes.
Notes
Marinated bitter gourd slices can be fried or baked.

Fried or baked bitter gourd can be served along with rice: called as Pavakka Kondattum.
Recipe by Cooking with Thas - Wholesome Homemade Recipes at https://thasneen.com/cooking/baked-bitter-gourd-kichadi-pavakka-kichadi/