Indian Food and Meal Ideas
Pitlai

A staple Indian meal, takes less time to prepare and is very easy.
For US to UK equivalents see this rough guide

Recipe Ingredients:

• 2 med bitter gourds ("karela")
• 3/4 can chickpeas
• 1/2 cup cooked toovar dal
• 3 green chillies slit
• 1 1/2 tspn tamarind paste
• 3-4 red dry chillies
• 2 tspns urad dal
• 1 1/2 tspn coriander seeds
• 1/2 cup grated coconut
• few peppercorns
• a little jaggery or sugar
• turmeric, salt to taste
• mustard seeds, curry leaves, oil for seasoning

Method:

Slit bitter gourd into four quarters and cut 1/2 inch thick pieces across.
In a little oil, saute cut bitter gourd and green chillies. Add 2 cups water, tamarind, turmeric and salt. Let simmer
until bitter gourd are tender. Add chickpeas and jaggery/sugar.
While bitter gourd are cooking, in another pan sprinkle a little oil and fry coriander seeds, urad dal, red chillies
and peppercorns until well roasted. Add coconut, stir a min or two and then grind in a blender. Add a little
tomato paste if handy for color.
Blend in cocunut paste into the bitter gourd-tamarind mixture. Add the dal. Mix well and reheat a till it begins to
simmer. Take off stove.
Pour seasoning on top.

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For US to UK equivalents for food weights and measurements see this rough guide

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