Bharwa Karela Recipe – from Bitter to Better: 4 Awesome Benefits

Bharwa Karela is a traditional recipe that has been passed down through centuries. But don’t let its intricacy deter you; we’ve streamlined the process so you can easily recreate this delectable dish in your own home.

I can say with full confidence that food lovers all around the world love Bharwa Karela because of its distinctive flavor and several health benefits.

With the right blend of spices, herbs, and ingredients, you can transform the bitterness of karela into a mouthwatering treat that will leave you craving for more. With its combination of bitter gourds stuffed with a medley of spices, herbs, and tangy amchur powder, Bharwa Karela offers a delightful explosion of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds.

Bharwa Karela – A brief history

Bharwa Karela has been a staple in Indian households, with each family adding their own twist to the recipe. Bharwa Karela, also known as stuffed bitter gourd, is a traditional Indian cuisine with ancient origins. It is a vegetable known for its distinctive bitter taste. It is believed to have originated in the Indian subcontinent and has long been a staple of Indian cuisine. The unique flavor of bitter gourd, when combined with a medley of aromatic spices, creates a dish that is both bold and comforting.

We have a penchant to adding our own twist to recipes, so how can bitter guard go unnoticed? Over time, each family developed its own version of Bharwa Karela. Today, it is enjoyed across the country and has even gained popularity internationally for its rich flavors and health benefits.

Health benefits of Bharwa Karela

• Bharwa Karela not only tantalizes the taste buds, but also has numerous health benefits. The major component in this recipe, bitter gourd, is high in essential nutrients and vitamins.

• It is high in dietary fiber, which assists digestion and promotes gut health.

• Karela is also low in calories and high in antioxidants, making it an excellent choice for overall health. By include Bharwa Karela in your diet, you can not only enjoy a tasty meal but indeed reap the numerous health benefits it has to offer.

• Bitter gourd is also recognized for its blood sugar regulating properties.

Ingredients

Bitter gourd: Select fresh and firm bitter gourds for cooking. Look for ones that have a smooth surface and are free from blemishes.

Stuffing ingredients: The stuffing for Bharwa Karela typically consists of a mixture of onions, ginger garlic paste (optional), green chilies, and spices. You can also add grated coconut to enhance the flavors but I have not added in this recipe.

Spices: A blend of spices is essential to bring out the flavors of Bharwa Karela. Common spices used include turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder, cumin powder, and amchur powder.

Salt: Add salt to taste, ensuring that the flavors are balanced.

Oil: Use cooking oil like mustard or olive oil.

How to prepare Bharwa Karela?

Preparing the Bitter Gourd

1. To begin, wash the bitter gourd thoroughly under running water.

2. Once clean, pat them dry using a kitchen towel. And then trim the ends of the bitter gourd and make a lengthwise slit on one side. Be careful not to cut the bitter gourd into two halves.

3. Use a spoon or knife to remove the seeds and pith from the inside, creating a hollow cavity/chamber. This step is necessary for us to fill the stuffing to it.

4. Sprinkle salt on the bitter gourd and let them sit for 5-10 minutes. This helps in reducing the bitterness of the gourd. Rinse the bitter gourd with water and squeeze out any excess moisture.

5. Boil the Karela for 10-15 minutes till they become tender.

6. Strain the water and keep the bitter guards aside.

Note: Step 4 is optional but you may follow if you want the bitterness of gourd to go away.

Preparing the Stuffing

1. Heat a pan and add oil to it, and let it heat for a while on medium flame.

Pro tip: If using mustard oil, heat the oil until it smokes.

2. Add cumin seeds and chopped green chillies to the pan. Stir for a while.

3. Add onions to the pan and keep stirring until they started become translucent.

4. Now add ginger-garlic paste to the mixture and give a good stir. Cook for 4-5 minutes till the onions turn golden brown.

5. It’s now time to add all the spices – turmeric, red chili, coriander, and amchur powder. Add salt to taste and mix well and stir for 2-3 minutes on low flame and then turn off the heat.

Let the stuffing cool for 5-10 minutes before you stuff it in the Karela.

Stuffing the Bitter Gourd

1. Take a spoonful of the stuffing mixture and carefully stuff it into the hollow cavity/chamber of bitter gourd. Make sure to press the stuffing firmly to ensure it fills at least 80-90% cavity.

2. Repeat the process for all the bitter gourds until they are all stuffed.

Cooking the Bharwa Karela

1. Heat oil in a medium/large pan or skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, carefully place the stuffed bitter gourds in the pan.

2. Cook for a few minutes over medium heat until they start to brown. Flip them gently, carefully and cook on all sides until they are evenly cooked and golden brown.

3. Once cooked, remove the Bharwa Karela from the pan and arrange them on a serving plate.

Tips for Making the Perfect Bharwa Karela

• Select firm and darker color bitter gourds for the best results. Avoid ones that are soft or have wrinkles.

• To reduce the bitterness of the bitter gourd, sprinkle salt on them and let them sit for 5-10 minutes before rinsing.

• For a crispy texture, cook the Bharwa Karela on medium heat for a longer duration. You can deep fry them, but I like shallow frying.

• Adjust the spices and seasonings as per your taste preferences. You can increase or decrease the amount of spice depending on your spice tolerance.

• Serve Bharwa Karela hot with rice and dal for a traditional Indian thali.

Serving Suggestions and Accompaniments

Bharwa Karela can be served as a main course or as a side dish. It pairs well with Indian breads such as roti, paratha, or naan. You can also serve it with steamed rice and dal for a wholesome meal.

I prefer to pair my bharwa karela with plane rice and dal. To balance the flavors, accompany Bharwa Karela with a refreshing raita, corn salad or a side of yogurt.

Variations of Bharwa Karela

While the classic Bharwa Karela recipe is delicious on its own, you can still experiment with variations to suit your taste preferences. I recommend 2 variations, you should try.

Bharwa Karela with Aloo: Add boiled and mashed potatoes to the stuffing mixture for a creamy and hearty filling. To add crunch, toss in some roasted peanuts.

Bharwa Karela with Paneer: Add crumbled paneer to the stuffing mixture for a rich and indulgent stuffing.

Feel free to get creative and customize the recipe to your desire. The possibilities are endless!!!

FAQ

Can I use frozen bitter gourd for Bharwa Karela?

I would recommend fresh bitter gourd; however, you can use frozen bitter gourd if fresh ones are not available. Thaw the frozen bitter gourd before using and then you can follow the same steps for preparing and cooking.

How long can I store Bharwa Karela?

Bharwa Karela can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 2-3 days. Lightly roast on tawa for a minute before serving.

Can I mix other vegetables/nuts in stuffing?

Yes, you may use mashed potatoes, peas, peanuts or paneer.

General QnA

How To Reduce Bitterness from Karela?

Sprinkle salt on the bitter gourd and let them sit for 5-10 minutes. This helps in reducing the bitterness of the gourd. Rinse the bitter gourd with water and squeeze out any excess moisture. You can then wash it properly under running water.