Masala Karela | Karela Sabzi

Karela Sabzi (करेले की सब्ज़ी) is a north indian recipe made using bittergourd and typical indian spices. It is one superb dish for anyone with diabetes, at the same time acts as great side dish. Not everyone would be a fan of Karela due to its bitter taste, but if you follow this recipe step by step, you will find ways to get rid of bitterness and will enjoy the flavours. Must confess that this food is for people with acquired taste, but have immense health benefits and is one food that I try to make at least once in fortnight.

Some of the benefits offered by Karela (bittergourd) are:

1. Purifies blood.
2. Excellent for diabetic people.
3. Helps in skin disorders.
4. Good for heart.
5. Rich in Iron, Calcium and Phosphorous, along with Vitamins like B and C.
6. Improves constipation.

Karela Sabzi | Karela Masala

Karela Or Bitter gourd Curry, one of the health(ier) curry, especially for those with acquired taste

4 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Indian

Servings 6 people

Calories 249 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• ▢ 4 Karela / Bitter Gourd Karela
• ▢ 1 Teaspoon Ginger Grated
• ▢ 3 Cloves Garlic Finely Chopped
• ▢ 3 Onion Medium size, thinly sliced
• ▢ 3 Tomatoes Medium size, chopped
• ▢ 1 Teaspoon Cumin Seeds
• ▢ 1/4 Teaspoon Asafoetida
• ▢ 1/2 Teaspoon Turmeric Powder
• ▢ 1 Teaspoon Coriander Powder
• ▢ 1/2 Teaspoon Red Chilli Powder As per taste
• ▢ 1/2 Teaspoon Dry Mango Powder / Amchur
• ▢ 1 Teaspoon Fennel Seed Powder
• ▢ 1.5 Teaspoon Salt As per taste
• ▢ 1/2 Teaspoon Garam Masala Powder
• ▢ 2 Tablespoon Oil

Instructions

 

• ▢
  Wash the karelas thoroughly and pat dry. Cut them into thin round wedges and spread 1 teaspoon of salt over them and mix well. Keep them aside for 1-2 hours. This step helps in reducing the bitterness of karelas. After that wash them properly in a colander and let them drain.
  
• ▢
  Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a pan / kadhai. Add Asafoetida and Cumin seeds, once they crackle add chopped onions, ginger and garlic in the pan and sauté on medium heat till the onions are pinkish brown.
  
• ▢
  Now add all the spices and sauté for 1 minute.
  
• ▢
  Add chopped tomatoes and sauté till they are cooked and Masala starts leaving Oil.
  
• ▢
  Add the Karela wedges and mix well. Cover with lid and let them cook for 10 minutes.
  
• ▢
  Stir and again cover the lid and let them cook for 5-7 minutes till they are cooked properly. Open the lid and roast them for 2 more minutes. Switch off the flame and transfer them to a serving bowl.
• ▢
  Serve the Masala Karela Sabzi along with Chapati, paratha or any bread of your choice.
  

Notes

1. You can use 1 tablespoon jaggery or 1 teaspoon of sugar while making Masala to give a little sweeter taste to karela.
2. If you don’t have time to keep karelas, and want to make them really quick, you can pressure cook the raw karela wedges with salt and 1.5 cup of water for 2 whistles. Drain and then fry them with the onion tomato Masala.
3. Do not add any water while cooking Karela, as it’s being a green vegetable, leaves its own water while cooking.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Karela Sabzi | Karela Masala

Amount Per Serving

Calories 249 Calories from Fat 81

% Daily Value*

Fat 9g14%

Saturated Fat 1g6%

Trans Fat 1g

Polyunsaturated Fat 1g

Monounsaturated Fat 2g

Cholesterol 1mg0%

Sodium 737mg32%

Potassium 645mg18%

Carbohydrates 41g14%

Fiber 11g46%

Sugar 17g19%

Protein 6g12%

Vitamin A 523IU10%

Vitamin C 48mg58%

Calcium 50mg5%

Iron 23mg128%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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If you like Karela, you can try another variant of this in the Stuffed Karela format.