Pavakkai Ellu Masala / Bittergourd in Tomato Sesame Sauce | Indian Curry Recipes

Bittergourd - The love or hate vegetable. People either love it through and through or hate it to the core. I belong to the first group. Love it in any form baked, boiled or fried. But I bet that after tasting this dish even the people who hate it would come to my group. This is a simple stir-fry with a few ingredients and makes eating bittergourd a heavenly experience and I am not exaggerating.

Ingredients:
Bittergourd - 3 medium sized - finely chopped
Onion - 1/2 of a big one - finely chopped
Tomato - 1 - finely chopped
Oil - 2 tbsp
Jaggery - 1/2 tsp
White Sesame seeds - 1 tsp - roasted until light brown and powdered
Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
Chilli powder - 1/2 tsp to 1 tsp - per taste
Salt - to taste

Method:
Heat oil and saute the onions until soft. Add the bitter gourd pieces and fry until it is almost cooked. Add the tomato and pinch of salt and fry until the tomatoes turn mushy.. Add turmeric powder, chilli powder and continue to cook until the mixture is almost dry. Top with jaggery and mix. Finally add sesame powder and mix well.. Have in low heat for 5 mins and then remove from the heat. Serve hot as a side dish for rice or roti.

Sending this favorite dish to Bon Vivant #9 Simply sides and to EP series - Sesame event by Julie.