Chatpata Karela – Bitter Gourd or Bitter Melon Recipe [Video]

Bitter gourd is one vegetable that my husband has hated for years due to its bitterness and i guess you would find people in every home who hate it too. But here we present a recipe to make it spicy and chatpata so that its bitterness is moved away a bit and you can enjoy  … Read more

Written by Maahi Gupta
  Maahi Gupta    Updated 15 Nov, 17

  


Bitter gourd is one vegetable that my husband has hated for years due to its bitterness and i guess you would find people in every home who hate it too. But here we present a recipe to make it spicy and chatpata so that its bitterness is moved away a bit and you can enjoy its high vitamin and minerals like calcium, phosphorous, iron, copper and potassium.

From the ayurvedic perspective, bitter gourd is excellent for balancing Kapha (cough). It helps purify blood tissue, enhances digestion, and stimulates the liver.

I hope you will like it.

Chatpata Karela Recipe In Words

Prep time: 
Cook time:
Total time:
Yield: 1 Bowl Chatpata Karela – Good for 2 People

Ingredients:

  1. 250gms Bitter Gourd(Karela)
  2. 1/2 Cup (Our 1 Cup = 240 ML) Chopped Tomato
  3. 1/2 Cup (Our 1 Cup = 240 ML) Chopped Onion
  4. 2 Finely Chopped Green Chilies
  5. 1 Chopped Raw Mango(Green Mango) long slices
  6. 4 Tbsp Mustard Oil
  7. 1-1/3 Tsp Salt
  8. 1/4 Tsp Red Chili Powder
  9. 2 Pinch Garam Masala
  10. 2 Pinch Asafoetida(Hing)
  11. 1/4 Tsp Coriander Powder
  12. 1/4 Tsp Cumin Seeds
  13. 2 Pinch Mango Powder(Amchoor)
  14. 2 Pinch Turmeric Powder

Method to take out the bitterness of Bitter Gourd:

  1. Choose the Bitter Gourd which are small in size and there skin should be thin.
  2. We will use 1 tsp Salt to take out the bitterness of Bitter Gourd.
  3. Peel the Bitter Gourd. Cut out the small portion from top and bottom of Bitter Gourd.
  4. Now cut them in round shape and make sure you cut them bit thick portions.
  5. Take out the big seeds from the chopped pieces of Bitter Gourd.
  6. Sprinkle 1 tsp of Salt to coat all the pieces with it.
  7. Keep these Salted Bitter Gourd aside for 6 to 8 hours(Over night).
  8. After 6-8 hours, wash the pieces in clear Water to take out the Salt. Keep aside in a sieve to dry.

Method to make Chatpata Karela (Bitter Gourd):

  1. Add 2 tbsp of Mustard Oil in pan. Heat the Oil on high flame.
  2. When you see the smoke coming out of Mustard Oil then turn the stove to medium flame. Mustard Oil has its own smell which is very strong, this step will remove that strong smell.
  3. Add dried Bitter Gourd in hot Oil, shallow fry until they achieve light golden color. Keep the stove on medium flame.
  4. After frying them for approx. 5 minutes, take them out in a plate.
  5. Add another 2 tbsp of Mustard Oil in pan. Heat the Oil on high flame.
  6. When you see the smoke coming out of Mustard Oil then turn the stove to medium flame. Mustard Oil has its own smell which is very strong, this step will remove that strong smell.
  7. Add Cumin Seeds and Asafoetida in Oil. Wait until Cumin become light brown in color.
  8. Add Onions and roast them on medium flame only.
  9. After 1 minute of frying, add Tomatoes and Green Chilies.
  10. Add Coriander Powder, Red Chili Powder, Salt, Garam Masala and Mango Powder.
  11. Mix well and cook for about 1 min. on medium flame.
  12. After 1 min., add chopped raw Mango and mix well. Add fried bitter gourd and mix well again.
  13. Turn the stove to low flame. Cover the lid of the pan and cook for 5 minutes. Stir occasionally.
  14. After 5 min., they will be ready to eat.
  15. Switch off the stove and take them out in a plate.
  16. Enjoy the Spicy and Sour Bitter Gourd with Chapati or Paratha.
making chatpata karela

making chatpata karela


Author

Written by Maahi Gupta
  Maahi Gupta  
Mother. Cook. Vegetarian. Passionate Indian Food Eater. inHouseRecipes Chef. Photo Editor.