A classic North Indian stir-fry featuring bitter melon, sautéed with onions, tomatoes, and aromatic spices. This recipe uses a special technique to reduce bitterness, making it a delicious and healthy side dish.
Soft, unleavened whole wheat flatbread, a daily staple in Indian households. Perfect for scooping up curries and dals, this simple, wholesome bread is puffed up on an open flame for that classic, airy texture.
A comforting and classic North Indian lentil dish. Creamy yellow lentils are cooked until tender and then topped with a fragrant tempering of spices sizzled in ghee. Perfect with steamed rice or roti.
Perfectly fluffy, long-grained basmati rice with a delicate aroma. This simple, foolproof recipe gives you separate, non-sticky grains every time, making it the perfect base for any curry or dal.
About Karela Sabzi, Roti, Dal Tadka and Steamed Basmati Rice
Homestyle Karela Sabzi with protein-packed dal & fluffy rice – a gut-friendly, soul-satisfying meal!
This indian dish is perfect for lunch. With 888.8299999999999 calories and 26.68g of protein per serving, it's a muscle-gain option for your meal plan.
11gfat
1 tsp Dry Mango Powder
0.5 tsp Garam Masala
1 tsp Sugar (Optional, helps balance bitterness)
2 tbsp Coriander Leaves (Chopped, for garnish)
Instructions
1
Prepare the Bitter Gourd
Wash the bitter gourds thoroughly. Lightly scrape the rough, bumpy skin with a peeler or knife, but do not peel it completely.
Slice them into thin rounds (about 1/4 inch thick), discarding the ends. If the seeds are large and red, scoop them out and discard.
Place the sliced bitter gourd in a bowl, add 1 tsp of salt, and toss to coat evenly. Set aside for 20-30 minutes.
After resting, you will see that the bitter gourd has released a significant amount of water. Squeeze the slices firmly between your palms to extract as much bitter juice as possible. Discard the juice and set the squeezed slices aside.
2
Sauté Aromatics
Heat oil in a heavy-bottomed pan or kadai over medium heat.
Once the oil is hot, add the cumin seeds and fennel seeds. Allow them to sizzle and become fragrant, which should take about 30 seconds.
Add the thinly sliced onions and sauté, stirring frequently, until they turn soft and golden brown. This step is key for adding sweetness and will take about 6-8 minutes.
3
Cook the Bitter Gourd
Add the squeezed bitter gourd slices to the pan with the onions.
Stir well to combine and continue to sauté on medium heat for 8-10 minutes. Stir occasionally until the slices are tender and have light brown spots on them.
4
Add Spices and Tomatoes
Reduce the heat to low. Add the turmeric powder, coriander powder, and red chili powder. Stir continuously for about 1 minute until the raw smell of the spices disappears.
Add the finely chopped tomatoes and the remaining 0.5 tsp of salt. Mix well.
Cover the pan with a lid and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the tomatoes break down and become soft and mushy, releasing their oil.
5
Finish the Sabzi
Remove the lid. Add the dry mango powder (amchur), garam masala, and optional sugar.
Stir everything together gently and cook, uncovered, for another 2-3 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Turn off the heat and garnish with freshly chopped coriander leaves.
6
Serve
Serve the Karela Sabzi hot with fresh rotis, parathas, or as a side dish with a dal and rice meal.
213cal
8gprotein
44gcarbs
2gfat
Ingredients
2 cup atta (Use a fine-milled whole wheat flour for best results.)
1 cup lukewarm water (Adjust quantity as needed; dough should be soft and pliable.)
1 tsp ghee (For the dough, plus extra for brushing (optional).)
Instructions
1
Prepare the dough
In a large mixing bowl, combine the atta and 1 tsp of ghee.
Gradually add lukewarm water, a little at a time, mixing with your fingers to form a shaggy dough.
Knead the dough on a clean surface for 8-10 minutes, using the heel of your palm to push and fold until it is smooth, soft, and pliable, but not sticky.
Cover the dough with a damp cloth or a lid and let it rest for at least 20-30 minutes. This step is crucial for relaxing the gluten and ensuring soft rotis.
2
Divide and roll the rotis
After resting, knead the dough for another minute.
Divide the dough into 8 equal-sized portions and roll each into a smooth, crack-free ball.
Take one dough ball, flatten it, and dip it in dry atta for dusting.
On a rolling board, use a rolling pin to roll it into an even circle about 6-7 inches in diameter. Ensure the edges are as thin as the center for proper puffing.
3
Cook the roti
Heat a flat griddle (tawa) over medium-high heat. It's ready when a pinch of flour sprinkled on it sizzles and turns brown in seconds.
Place the rolled roti on the hot tawa. Cook for about 20-30 seconds, until you see small bubbles appear on the surface.
Using tongs, flip the roti. Cook the second side for about 45-60 seconds, until light brown spots appear.
4
Puff the roti
Using tongs, carefully remove the roti from the tawa and place it directly over a medium-high open flame. It should puff up into a ball almost instantly. Flip it once and remove immediately to avoid burning.
Alternatively, if you don't have a gas stove, flip the roti back onto the tawa and gently press the edges with a folded kitchen towel. This traps steam and helps the roti puff up.
Once puffed, immediately remove the roti from the heat.
5
Finish and serve
Brush one side with ghee, if desired, for extra flavor and softness.
Place the finished roti in a casserole dish or a container lined with a clean kitchen towel to keep them soft and warm.
Repeat the process for all remaining dough balls. Serve hot with your favorite dal, curry, or sabzi.
3 cup Water (for pressure cooking, plus more as needed)
0.5 tsp Turmeric Powder
1 tsp Salt (or to taste)
2 tbsp Ghee (divided)
1 tsp Cumin Seeds
0.5 tsp Mustard Seeds
1 medium Onion (finely chopped)
1 tbsp Ginger Garlic Paste
2 pcs Green Chili (slit lengthwise)
1 medium Tomato (finely chopped)
0.25 tsp Hing (asafoetida)
2 pcs Dried Red Chili (whole)
0.5 tsp Kashmiri Red Chili Powder (for color, adjust to taste)
0.5 tsp Garam Masala
2 tbsp Coriander Leaves (freshly chopped, for garnish)
1 tsp Lemon Juice (optional, for a tangy finish)
Instructions
1
Pressure Cook the Dal
Rinse the toor dal thoroughly under cold running water until the water runs clear. Drain.
Place the rinsed dal in a pressure cooker. Add 3 cups of water, turmeric powder, and 1/2 tsp of salt.
Secure the lid and pressure cook on medium-high heat for 4-5 whistles, or about 15 minutes, until the dal is completely soft and mushy.
Allow the pressure to release naturally. This extra time helps the dal become even creamier.
Once the pressure has subsided, open the cooker and whisk the dal gently until it reaches a smooth, consistent texture. If it's too thick, add a little hot water to reach your desired consistency.
2
Prepare the Masala Base
Heat 1 tbsp of ghee in a separate pan or kadai over medium heat.
Add 1/2 tsp of cumin seeds and let them sizzle.
Add the finely chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until it becomes soft and translucent.
Add the ginger-garlic paste and slit green chilies. Cook for another minute until the raw smell disappears.
Stir in the chopped tomatoes and the remaining 1/2 tsp of salt. Cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes break down and the mixture becomes pulpy.
1.5 cup Basmati Rice (Use good quality, aged basmati rice for best results)
2.25 cup Water (For the absorption cooking method)
0.75 tsp Salt (Adjust to taste)
1 tsp Ghee (Optional, for flavor and to prevent sticking)
Instructions
1
Rinse and Soak the Rice (35 minutes)
Place the basmati rice in a large bowl. Add cold water and gently swirl the rice with your fingers. Drain the cloudy water. Repeat this process 3-4 times until the water runs mostly clear. This removes excess starch and prevents stickiness.
Cover the rinsed rice with fresh water and let it soak for 30 minutes. Soaking allows the grains to absorb water, ensuring they cook evenly and elongate beautifully.
After 30 minutes, drain the rice completely using a fine-mesh sieve and set aside.
2
Cook the Rice (15 minutes)
In a medium, heavy-bottomed saucepan with a tight-fitting lid, combine the drained rice, 2.25 cups of fresh water, salt, and ghee (if using).
Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over medium-high heat, uncovered.
As soon as it boils, give it one gentle stir, then immediately reduce the heat to the lowest possible setting. Cover the saucepan tightly with the lid.
Let the rice simmer for 12-15 minutes, or until all the water has been absorbed. Do not lift the lid during this time to prevent steam from escaping.
3
Rest and Fluff (10 minutes)
Turn off the heat but leave the saucepan on the stove, still covered. Let the rice rest and steam for 10 minutes. This step is crucial for finishing the cooking process and achieving a perfect texture.
After resting, remove the lid. Use a fork to gently fluff the rice, separating the long, delicate grains.
Serve hot as a perfect accompaniment to curries, dals, or grilled dishes.
Pour this onion-tomato masala into the cooked dal. Add the garam masala, stir well, and let it simmer on low heat for 5 minutes for the flavors to meld.
3
Prepare the Final Tempering (Tadka)
In a small tadka pan or small skillet, heat the remaining 1 tbsp of ghee over medium heat until hot.
Add the mustard seeds and the remaining 1/2 tsp of cumin seeds. Allow them to crackle and splutter, which should take about 30 seconds.
Add the whole dried red chilies and hing (asafoetida). Sauté for just 10-15 seconds, being careful not to burn them.
Turn off the heat completely. Immediately add the Kashmiri red chili powder to the hot ghee and give it a quick swirl. This prevents the powder from burning and turning bitter.
4
Combine and Serve
Immediately pour the sizzling hot tempering over the simmering dal. You should hear a satisfying sizzle as the tadka hits the dal.
Stir gently to incorporate the tempering. Stir in the optional lemon juice if using.
Garnish with freshly chopped coriander leaves.
Serve hot with steamed basmati rice, jeera rice, or fresh rotis.
