How to make…Pavakkai uppucharu

A recipe that makes a tasty accompaniment to most South Indian dishes.

Pavakkai uppucharu is a very tasty dish. I learnt this recipe from my mother-in-law. The combination of sweet, sour and bitter makes it an excellent side dish for all South Indian dishes.

What you need

Medium sized bitter gourd – 2

Lemon-sized ball of tamarind

Lemon-sized ball of jaggery

Split Pigeon pea (Toor dal) – 1 tsp

Black gram (Urad dal) – 1 tsp

Bengal gram (Channa dal) – 1 tsp

Red chillies - 3 or 4

Pepper corns - 8

Asafoetida – a pinch

Turmeric powder – a pinch

Curry leaves - a few

Mustard seeds – for seasoning

Oil – 2 tbsp

Salt – to taste

Cooking instructions

Wash and slice the bitter gourd. Add a little salt and turmeric powder. Keep aside for 30 minutes.

Soak the tamarind in hot water and extract juice.

Dry roast all three dals, red chillies, peppercorns, asafoetida and curry leaves.

Grind till fine.

Heat oil in a kadai. Add mustard seeds and a red chilli.

Add the bitter gourd and fry till done.

Add tamarind water to the bitter gourd and boil.

Add the ground powder, salt and jaggery and boil till the gravy turns thick.

Serve with upma, dosai, idli and rice.