Karela Thokku / Pavakkai Thokku

   I love karela thokku. My Mom's version is little different from this recipe, I saw this recipe from a Tv cookery show, and slightly tweaked to my taste.

Ingredients

1. Karela    250g(finely chopped)
2. Onion   1 big(finely chopped)
3. Tomato   2no.s (finely chopped)
4. curry leaves  1 twig
5. tamarind   small lime size (soak n extrace the tamarind juice)
6. Jaggery   2tbsp (dissolve in water n make thin syrup)
7. mustard seeds   1/2 tsp
8. cumin seeds  1/2 tsp
9. urad dal  1+ 1/2 tsp
10. chilli powder  2tsp
11. coriander powder  1+ 1/2 tsp
12. turmeric powder  1/4 tsp
13. oil    3-4 tbsp
14. salt as needed.

Method

• Heat oil in a non stick vessel or in heavy bottomed vessel,add mustard  seeds,cumin seeds and urad dal fry till light brown.
• Add  chopped karela and curry leaves and turmeric powder,sprinkle some salt.
• Fry the karela nicely,  for about 5minutes .
• And add onions  and fry till it get transparent.
• Now add chopped tomatoes ,chilli powder and coriander powder,mix well
• Saute nicely till the tomatoes becomes mushy and leaves oil.
• Then add tamarind juice and required salt .
• Close the lid and let them boil for another 2-3 minutes
• now add the jaggery , mix well and cook for another 2 minutes .
• Finish it with adding few curry leaves .
• Karela thokku is ready  and serve it with plain rice,chapathi,and dosa.