Photo: Gannu03 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Westbengal · Breakfast

Bitter Gourd Fry

Traditional 32. Bitter Gourd Fry recipe

🧺 Ingredients

• 400g bitter gourd, sliced thin
• 3 tbsp mustard oil
• 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
• 1/4 tsp asafoetida
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
• 1/2 tsp red chilli powder
• Salt to taste
• Jaggery powder for sprinkling

👩‍🍳 How to make Bitter Gourd Fry

1. Salt and drain bitter gourd (10 mins, room temp): Slice bitter gourd thin (1/8 inch), sprinkle salt generously, let sit 10 mins. This removes bitterness and draws out moisture. Squeeze dry with hands.
2. Heat oil (2 mins, high): Mustard oil shimmering and smoking.
3. Temper spices (30 secs, high): Add cumin seeds, asafoetida.
4. Fry bitter gourd (7 mins, medium-high): Add bitter gourd slices, spread in single layer. Do not stir immediately—let them fry undisturbed 2-3 mins to brown. Then stir constantly. They should turn golden-brown, become crispy (4 mins total). Sound should be crunchy.
5. Add spices (1 min, medium): Dust turmeric, chilli powder, salt. Stir through.
6. Finish (30 secs, low): Remove from heat. Sprinkle tiny amount of jaggery powder to balance bitterness.

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