Healthy Bharwa Karela Recipe - Stuffed Bitter Gourd

Step 1: To begin making Healthy Bharwa Karela Recipe (Indian Masala Stuffed Bitter Gourd), scrape the outer skin of the bitter gourds and make a deep vertical cut in the center leaving the base portion intact

Step 2: Gently scoop out the seeds and the pith and set it aside

Step 3: Rub the bitter gourds with salt, inside out

Step 4: Mix about 1/2 teaspoon of salt to the pith and seeds and allow it to rest for at least half an hour

Step 5: Squeeze excess water and wash and drain them

Step 6: Pat the bitter gourds with a kitchen towel

Step 7: In the meantime, grind all the ingredients given under 'Ground Masala' in a mixer grinder including onion, tomato, raw mango, green chilli, garlic, ginger and fresh turmeric root

Step 8: Heat a pan and gently roast the ingredients given under the 'dry masala' except coconut including raw peanuts, coriander seeds, dry red chillies and tamarind

Step 9: Once it is done, grind them coarsely with coconut

Step 10: Keep it aside

Step 11: Heat a pan/ kadai over a low flame with a little oil

Step 12: When the oil heats up add the ground tomato onion masala and the pith of karela

Step 13: Mix dry (roasted) masala, kashmiri red chili powder, amchur powder and garam masala

Step 14: Add salt as required

Step 15: Adjust spices

Step 16: Allow it to cook for 8-10 minutes or till the time the excess water is absorbed and looks cooked, switch off

Step 17: Spoon the masala into each processed bitter gourd/Karela

Step 18: Heat a wide pan with 1-2 tablespoons of oil

Step 19: Gently place the stuffed bitter gourds in the pan and shallow fry them till all the sides are uniformly browned

Step 20: You can keep the lid closed often to have them cooked evenly

Step 21: Delicious Healthy Bharwa Karela (Indian Masala Stuffed Bitter Gourd) is now all set to be served

Step 22: Serve Bharwa Karela along with Palak Dal, Phulka and Boondi Raita for an everyday meal