Bengali Aloo Karela Recipe- Bitter Melon and Potato Delicacy

Welcome to Improved Recipes, where we explore the rich flavors of Bengali cuisine. I’m Istiyak Eshat, a passionate home cook with over 7 years of experience in crafting mouthwatering Bengali recipes.

Today, I’m excited to share with you a classic Bengali recipe that showcases the unique combination of bitterness and sweetness – the Bengali Aloo Karela (Bitter Melon and Potato) dish.

This delectable recipe will surely entice your taste buds, even if you’ve never experienced the magic of bitter melon before. So, let’s embark on this culinary journey together!

Ingredients

• 2 cups Bitter Melon (Karela), chopped
• 2 cups Potatoes (Aloo), chopped
• 1 cup Onion (Peyaj), chopped
• 4-5 Green Chilies (Morich Fali/Kuchi)
• 1/2 cup Oil (Tel)
• 1/2 tablespoon Turmeric (Holud)
• Salt to taste (Laban)

Instructions

Preparation Method:

Bitter Melon (Karela): Start by washing the bitter melons thoroughly and then cut them lengthwise. Remove the seeds and slice the melons into desired pieces. Rinse the bitter melon pieces again and drain the water.

Potatoes (Aloo): If the potatoes have excess dirt, wash them first and then chop them into desired pieces. Rinse the potato pieces and drain the water.

Onions (Peyaj): Peel the onions and chop them into fine pieces. No need to wash the chopped onions again.

Green Chilies (Morich): Depending on your preference, you can either finely chop the green chilies or slit them from the middle.

Cooking Method:

Step 1: Place a cooking pan on the stove and heat the oil. Once the oil is hot, add the chopped onions and sauté them lightly.

Step 2: Add the chopped green chilies to the pan. Once the onions turn slightly golden, add turmeric and salt to taste. Mix all the ingredients well.

Step 3: Now, add the chopped bitter melon (Karela) and potato (Aloo) to the pan. Stir everything together and cover the pan with a lid. (No need to add water).

Step 4: To prevent the bitter melon and potatoes from sticking to the bottom, occasionally lift the lid and stir the mixture gently.

Step 5: Continue cooking until the bitter melon and potatoes are fully cooked and tender. This may take a few minutes, so be patient.

Step 6: Once the vegetables are well-cooked and ready, remove the pan from the stove and serve the delicious Bengali Aloo Karela hot.

FAQs

Can I use garlic in this recipe?

Yes, you can use garlic in this recipe if you prefer. To include garlic, finely chop it and add it when sautéing the onions. The addition of garlic will enhance the flavors, making the dish even more delicious.

Will soaking the bitter melon in the salt reduce its bitterness?

Soaking the bitter melon in salt will not reduce its bitterness but will enhance the flavor. To minimize the bitterness, use more chopped onions while preparing this recipe. The given proportions of ingredients in this recipe will help in balancing the bitterness effectively.

Pro Tips:

Preparing Bitter Melon (Karela): Place a pot with water on the stove. Add a pinch of turmeric to the water and bring it to a boil.

After the water starts boiling, add the bitter melon pieces and boil them for a while. Then, remove the bitter melon pieces from the water and set them aside. This step will help reduce the bitterness of the bitter melon.

Patience is Key: Ensure that you cook the bitter melon and potatoes thoroughly until they are tender. Cooking them patiently will bring out the best flavors and textures in the dish.

Conclusion:

The Bengali Aloo Karela recipe is a perfect blend of bitter and sweet, highlighting the culinary brilliance of Bengali cuisine. As you savor each bite of this unique dish, you’ll be taken on a delightful journey through the rich flavors of Bengal.

So, gather your ingredients, follow the cooking method, and relish this unforgettable culinary experience. Happy cooking!

Bengali Aloo Karela Recipe

Yield: 4

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Additional Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

Welcome to Improved Recipes, where we explore the rich flavors of Bengali cuisine. I'm Istiyak Eshat, a passionate home cook with over 7 years of experience in crafting mouthwatering Bengali recipes. Today, I'm excited to share with you a classic Bengali recipe that showcases the unique combination of bitterness and sweetness - the Bengali Aloo Karela (Bitter Melon and Potato) dish. This delectable recipe will surely entice your taste buds, even if you've never experienced the magic of bitter melon before. So, let's embark on this culinary journey together!

Print

Ingredients

• 2 cups Bitter Melon (Karela), chopped
• 2 cups Potatoes (Aloo), chopped
• 1 cup Onion (Peyaj), chopped
• 4-5 Green Chilies (Morich Fali/Kuchi)
• 1/2 cup Oil (Tel)
• 1/2 tablespoon Turmeric (Holud)
• Salt to taste (Laban)

Instructions

Preparation Method:

Bitter Melon (Karela): Start by washing the bitter melons thoroughly and then cut them lengthwise. Remove the seeds and slice the melons into desired pieces. Rinse the bitter melon pieces again and drain the water.

Potatoes (Aloo): If the potatoes have excess dirt, wash them first and then chop them into desired pieces. Rinse the potato pieces and drain the water.

Onions (Peyaj): Peel the onions and chop them into fine pieces. No need to wash the chopped onions again.

Green Chilies (Morich): Depending on your preference, you can either finely chop the green chilies or slit them from the middle.

Cooking Method:

1. Place a cooking pan on the stove and heat the oil. Once the oil is hot, add the chopped onions and sauté them lightly.
2. Add the chopped green chilies to the pan. Once the onions turn slightly golden, add turmeric and salt to taste. Mix all the ingredients well.
3. Now, add the chopped bitter melon (Karela) and potato (Aloo) to the pan. Stir everything together and cover the pan with a lid. (No need to add water).
4. To prevent the bitter melon and potatoes from sticking to the bottom, occasionally lift the lid and stir the mixture gently.
5. Continue cooking until the bitter melon and potatoes are fully cooked and tender. This may take a few minutes, so be patient.
6. Once the vegetables are well-cooked and ready, remove the pan from the stove and serve the delicious Bengali Aloo Karela hot.

Notes

• Can I use garlic in this recipe?

Ans: Yes, you can use garlic in this recipe if you prefer. To include garlic, finely chop it and add it when sautéing the onions. The addition of garlic will enhance the flavors, making the dish even more delicious.

• Will soaking the bitter melon in salt reduce its bitterness?

Ans: Soaking the bitter melon in salt will not reduce its bitterness but will enhance the flavor. To minimize the bitterness, use more chopped onions while preparing this recipe. The given proportions of ingredients in this recipe will help in balancing the bitterness effectively.

Pro Tips:

1. Preparing Bitter Melon (Karela): Place a pot with water on the stove. Add a pinch of turmeric to the water and bring it to a boil. After the water starts boiling, add the bitter melon pieces and boil them for a while. Then, remove the bitter melon pieces from the water and set them aside. This step will help reduce the bitterness of the bitter melon.
2. Patience is Key: Ensure that you cook the bitter melon and potatoes thoroughly until they are tender. Cooking them patiently will bring out the best flavors and textures in the dish.