Aaloo - Karela bhaji

Here’s a quick dish that I love having as an accompaniment with several types of food-items and it is the perfect replacement for ketchup minus preservatives.

Ingredients:

1 Tb. Sp.              Oil

1 Big                      Onion (Cut lengthwise)

4-5                         Bitter gourd (karela) (Cut in circles of approximately 2 cms wide)

1-2                         Potatoes (cut in cubes)

Salt (according to taste)

Red chillies (according to taste)

Turmeric

Preparation:

Heat oil in a pan and onions to it.

Once the onions are cooked, not brown, add salt, red chillies and turmeric.  Mix well.

Add bitter gourd and potatoes

Lower the flame and cover for a few minutes.

Once it is well done, remove the lid and continue cooking for approximately another 10 minutes.

Serve as an accompaniment with dal and rice or chapattis.  Even though it is a bit bitter, as the name suggests, bitter gourd is excellent for health and one doesn’t really feel the bitterness.

Most Indians are aware of the benefits and extensive use of bitter gourd to treat and control diabetes in Ayurveda.  Bitter gourd juice is good in diabetes.