Kerala Pavakka Theeyal(Thenga Varutharacha Curry)

Theeyal is traditional kerala dish dish which is made using vegetables and fried coconut.

It has a rich distinct taste which makes it a distinct curry. This recipe uses pavakka or bittergourd as the main ingredient

 Ingredients

Pavakka/ bitter gourd                 1 medium

Coconut                                              1 cup

Small onion                                        15 nos(cut into small pieces)

Chilly powder                                    2 tsp

Coriander powder                            1 tsp

Turmeric powder                             ½ tsp

Fenugreek                                            a pinch

Tamarind                                             a gooseberry sized ball                                               

Curry leaves                                        few

Dried red chilly                                   2 nos

Mustard seeds                                     ½ tsp

Salt

Coconut oil                                            2 tsp

Water

Method:

Cut pavakka/ bitter gourd into medium pieces.

Heat I tsp oil in a pan add grated coconut, 4 curry leaves and saute till brown

Add ½ tsp coriander powder, 2 red chilly powders, 1 tsp coriander powder and stir for a few minutes.

Remove the fire and allow cooling.

Grind it to a fine paste.

Soak tamarind in ¼ cup of warm water and take the extract from it.

Heat another pan add 1 tsp oil add sliced onions, and saute till it turn golden brown

Add pavakka, salt and saute for another 5 minutes

Add little water, allow cook

Add tamarind juice and coconut paste and allow boil

Cook covered for about 15 minutes

Stir occasionally

Till the gravy thickens and oil separates remove the flame.

Add curry leaves and sprinkle fenugreek powder and mix well.
garnish with curry leaves.