Indian Cooking Recipe : Masaledar Karele Ingredients : 3 karele 2 green chillies ½ tsp ginger, grated ½ tomato, chopped 4 to 5 tamarind pieces 1 stalk curry leaves 2 to 3 sprigs coriander, chopped ½ tsp each mustard & cumin seeds 1 tbsp molasses or sugar 1 ½ tsp red chilli powder 1 tsp dhania powder ¼ tsp turmeric powder ¼ tsp garam masala 2 to 3 pinches asafoetida Salt to taste 1 tbsp oil Sour buttermilk to soak karele Method : Slice bitter gourd into thin discs. Soak in sour buttermilk for 4-5 hours. Drain, wash, sprinkle liberally with salt. Keep aside for 1 hour. Rub slices well with hand, wash and drain. Boil in water till soft to touch, drain, wash again, drain, keep aside. Heat oil in a heavy pan, add seeds, asafoetida, allow to splutter. Add curry leaves, ginger, tomato, chillies, tamarinds pieces. Stir. Mix all dry masalas in ½ cup water to form a paste, add to pan. Cook till oil separates, add karele slices. Stir, add molasses. Stir and simmer for 3-4 minutes. Garnish with chopped coriander. Serve hot.