Bitter gourd / karela / kakara kaya (Telugu) and yellow curry variety cucumber combination in this pulusu recipe is more or less like rasavangi of Tamilnadu.This pulusu is prepared with different combinations of vegetables in Andhra.Method of preparation of pulusu is, a little different from the preparation of rasavangi of Tamil nadu .(with brinjal).Sometimes mashed plain toor dal is served along with pulusu instead of adding it to the curry. In Andhra Dappalam which is a typical traditional recipe of Andhra Telugu families is served in important functions and celebrations.This is also like rasavangi but prepared with lot of different vegetables like brinjal cucumber,drumsticks,bottle gourd ,bhendi and yellow pumpkin etc along with onion.As karela is my favourite vegetable I prepared this pulusu along with cucumber (which is tangy).
Ingredients:
karela – 200 Gms,lightly scraped and cut into roundels (smear salt and wash them after 20 min . Squeeze out water and keep them ready),
Cucumber – 150 Gms,peeled and cut into 1″cubes,
Onion – 1,medium,sliced fine,
Tomato – 1,medium,chopped fine,
Green chilli – 2,cut vertically into 2,
Dhania powder – 1 Tablesp,
Red chilli powder – 1 Tsp,
Salt,
Thick Tamarind paste – 1 Tablesp,
Methi seeds – 1/4 Tsp,
Hing – 2 pinches,
Haldi – 2 pinches,
Cooked toor dal 2 to 3 Tablesp (to thicken the gravy),
Curry patta leaves – 2 sprigs,
Chopped coriander leaves – 2 Tablesp
Oil – 2 Tablesp,
Mustard seeds – 1/4 Tsp,
Red chilli – 1 or 2,
Jaggery powder – 1 to 2 Tablesp,
Desi ghee – 2 Tsp ( optional ).
Method:
1).Heat oil ,add hing, methi seeds ,mustard seeds,red chilli and curry leaves.Fry till mustard splutters.Add onion and green chilli. fry till onion turns soft.
2).Add tomato and cook till mushy .Add karela and cucumber pieces .Add haldi,chilli powder and dhania powder along with salt.Mix well, sprinkle little water and cook covered till the vegetables are little tender.
3).Mix cooked dal and tamarind paste with 250 ml of water .Pour this over the curry , stir well and cook till the gravy thickens and vegetables are well cooked.Add jaggery and let it be on fire for few seconds.
4).Sprinkle coriander leaves and remove.Drizzle 2 tsp of desi ghee over the curry and mix well.
5).Serve this delicious sweet and tangy curry with hot plain rice along with papad / chips.
Tip:
If you are in hurry and there is no cooked dal ready,you can mix 2 Tablesp of rice flour in little water with out lumps and add it to the gravy.Mix well and keep it on fire for a minute.check salt and serve.