Bitter Gourd with Dalia Powder

Kakarakaya Vepudu.
Bitter gourd is scraped and sliced into thin circles. Bitter gourd slices are then fried in oil along cumin seeds. Once bitter gourd is brown in color, dalia powder is added. Serve bitter gourd fry with dalia powder over plain steamed rice and dollop of ghee.
Makes: around 2 Servings of Bitter Gourd Fry with Almonds
Ingredients:
Bitter Gourd 2 Medium
Dalia / Roasted Gram 2 Tbsps
Tamarind 1 inch Piece
Red Chili Powder 1/2 tsp
Cumin Seeds a Pinch
Curry Leaves a few
Salt to taste
Oil 1 Tbsp
Method of preparation:
Lightly scrape, wash and remove the ends of the bitter gourd.
Chop the bitter gourd into thin circles.
Soak tamarind in few tablespoons of warm water for couple of minutes and extract all the thick juice.
Grind dalia into fine powder using a spice blender.
Heat oil in pan, add sliced bitter gourd pieces.
Fry for couple of minutes to let bitter gourd slices turn light brown around the ends.
Stir in cumin seeds, curry leaves and fry again till bitter gourd is cooked and brown in color.
Finally stir in tamarind extract, red chili powder, ground dalia powder and salt.
Mix thoroughly and remove from heat.
Serve bitter gourd fry with dalia powder over plain steamed rice and dollop of ghee.
Notes: Make sure bitter gourd is cooked well before removing from the pan.
Suggestions: If bitter gourd is not cooked properly, cook covered in the pan till done. Add more oil if necessary while frying the bitter gourd.
Other Names: Kakarakaya Vepudu, Bitter Gourd with Dalia Powder.