Friday, November 18, 2011

Oven Broiled / Roasted Bitter Melon stir fry for a chilly autumn weather / Karela subzi.

Yesterday I cooked Bitter melon stir fry with some twist from regular cooking method. I used  two different  cooking methods, that is - use of oven  and  stove, two cooking steps and later combined results of both cooking processes. Karela subzi / bitter melon stir fry was more tastier than stove top method.  If you don't like bitter melon, do make  an effort to develop liking because bitter melon is one of the best herbal remedy for diabetic management. It contains lot of nutrients and medicinal benefits. This is healthy stir fry to enjoy during chilly autumn days.
Last two weeks we are enjoying extra warm summer like weather around Triangle  but today  (Friday 18th November) early morning temperatures dropped below 30F,  it was frosty morning, frost was formed on the lawn and ground,  it froze water from the pot saucers. Last few days  birds were frequenting those water filled pot saucers to quench their thirst.  Please scroll down to enjoy  this   simple moment of winter scenery.


Ingredients :-
  • 1.5 lb Bitter gourd (6-7 medium size bitter melon/ karela/ pavakka/ Kaipakka/ Hagalkai, Karle)
  • 1 extra large sweet onion - partly cut lengthwise and partly chop finely. (yield 2.5 cups) I used sweet onion from RealSweet  brand produced by Shuman Produce,Inc.
  • 5-6 sprigs of curry leaves
  • 4-5 Green chilies thinly slit lengthwise
  • 1 T.spoon - heaped turmeric powder
  • 1 T.spoon - vinegar (I used white wine vinegar)
  • 1 T.spoon Garam masala ( I used 1/2 tsp garam and 1/2 tsp Goda masala, use your choice of masala blend)
  • 1 Tb.spoon oil + some more to spray over bitter gourd.
  • 1 Cup - finely chopped fresh cilantro for garnish
Method of Preparing oven broiled bitter melon Stir fry
  1. Wash Bitter gourd, pat dry. Chop both ends, make one lengthwise center cut - remove all hard formed seeds, if seeds are tender then just leave it. Make 4-5 lengthwise strips in each half portion, cut 1 inch long strips. For more ease you can make one horizontal cut. You can cut into disc shape too. Thinly slit green chilies - mix with bitter melon strips.
  2. Set oven on high broil setting. Place upper rack 8-10 inches away from upper coil. Arrange  all Karela strips evenly in a single layer in the baking pan. Spray oil, sprinkle some sea salt. Toss several times to coat bitter gourd pieces with oil and salt. Position tray in the center and close oven door.
  3. Broil bitter gourd 15 to 20 minutes, turning-stirring  them  2-3 times  during broiling. I broiled until edges turned crisp but inside was still moist. You may increase broiling time If you need extra crispy Karela texture.
  4. While bitter melons are broiling in the oven, heat  1 tablespoon  oil in a medium sauce pan over medium heat. Drop one single curry leaf, check if it sizzles with splashing noise. Carefully throw in half the quantity of curry leaves, stay back because they splash oil, allow to sizzle for 20-25 seconds and drain them on paper towel. Do this in two or three batches, depending on size of your saute pan. Curry leaves will turn bright green and crisp.
  5. In the same saute pan add chopped / sliced onions - saute on medium heat until they soften and few partially turn slight brown.I choose to use sweet onions to bring natural sweet taste. For more sweet taste sprinkle sugar or brown sugar while baking bitter melon.
  6. Add 1 teaspoon vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon garam masala, 1/2 teaspoon goda masala, turmeric powder, little salt. Stir and saute for one minute. Shut off the heat, allow to cool down.
  7. Take out Karela baking tray from oven, Mix onion mixture gently with baked bitter melon. First do with wooden spoon and later use fingers and coat evenly over karela pieces. Now add crisp curry leaves, mix well and return baking tray back to oven. Set oven back to low broil setting and broil for another 7-8 minutes. shut off the heat and let it sit inside the oven for another 10 minutes. Before serving with roti / rice garnish with fresh chopped cilantro. Enjoy and stay fit in winter.
Ready to get out of oven.

Karele ki subzi

Karlyachi Bhaji
'~~'~~'~~'~~'~~'~~'~~'~~'~~'~~'~~'~~'~~'~~'~~'~~'~~'~~'~~'~~'~~'

Unusual warmer temperatures in November brought many new
small birds around home in search of water.
Cute eastern Bluebird
Frosty morning froze water in the pot saucer.
Pictures taken around 8 am on 11/18/11


14 comments:

Nammaruchi.blogspt.com said...

Nice karela dish for winter...awesome pics of winter morning...

sm said...

looks delicious
and healthy dish.

Thanks for feedback and info about blog copied.

sm said...

will be back again to read it in details.

sm said...

thanks for your support.
after taking the action the blog is not their anymore which has copied my 99% blog content.

sm said...

birds nice pic next time if possible get the close up or zoom

Karela subzi its interesting dish have to use stove and oven.
lot of hard work

Usha said...

Leena, Thanks for your visit and comments.

Usha said...

sm, I am so glad to know that copy-cat blog is no more in existence...that day I didn't realize that 99% contents were copied...I came to know because blogger-index was copying my blog post via feeds and posting on their site..I sent him requests to take off my blog. One good thing was there is responding human behind that site. He obliged after three requests. While dealing with this issue I noticed your contents on that site.
I wonder why there are no strict rules and punishments for stealing content and virtual misbehaviour.Blog is taken off from the internet map but such people need to be punished.
I hope nobody every faces content stealing issues.
Thanks for your update.

Usha said...

sm, Birds were very smart and they don't wanted me to see them. I was hiding behind closed patio door and quietly clicked the picture through glass door. Next time I will use full resolution and zoom for more clarity and close-up.

For Karela two way process is a bit hard work but when time permits I enjoy. Same stir fry can be made on a bigger size thick tava too...just roast on slow flame for long time. It will equally taste crisp and yummy.

Thanks for taking time to come back and comment.

Kumar said...

good stuff, karela good for health

wisey usa gal said...

I really love sizzling foods in a winter weather like this. With a corn and crab soup that will solved my night. :)

AlkasVegetarianKitchen said...

awesome pics of winter

Reshma Gandhi said...

hi Usha, how r u... wish u a merry christmas and a happy new year.

Dolly

Usha said...

@ Kumar, Thanks.

@ WiseUsaGirl, corn and crab soup sounds interesting..Thanks for leaving link for usagroupdeals.

@ Max, Thanks.How is winter in Canada? We are enjoying pleasant winter here.

Usha said...

Dolly, Thanks and same to you...I am doing ok..this year has passed so quick..happy to see you around. :)