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Last Modified September 16, 2021

Simple Bitter Gourd Recipe Curry for Rice | Pavakkai Kulambu

Have you ever tried a spicy bitter gourd recipe? If not, don’t miss this delicious vegan dish this time. Bitter gourd curry or ‘Pavakkai Kulambu’ (in Tamil) is one of the well-known dishes in Sri Lanka. You can prepare bitter gourd curry in different ways, but this method is one of the easiest ways to make bitter gourd curry for rice.

How bitter gourd provides healthy nutrients to your body? Bitter gourd contains a range of nutrients, iron, potassium, vitamin C, and magnesium. It is an excellent source of fiber and also contains a large amount of calcium. Bitter gourd is good for maintaining the blood sugar, lowers bad cholesterol level, good for eyes, prevents premature skin aging, boosts the immune system, cleanses the liver, and helps in weight loss. It is easily one of the healthiest vegetables for you.

Basically, Sri Lankans prepare this simple bitter gourd recipe for lunch. It is the best combo with rice or bread. When you have all the below ingredients, give it a try. I am sure you will like this healthy vegan dish. Alright, let’s see how to make an easy bitter gourd recipe for rice in Sri Lankan style.

My Favorite Combos

1. This Recipe + Rice + Fish Fry + Fish Sothi + Spinach
2. This Recipe + Rice + Unique Prawn Fry + Prawn Varai + Dal Curry
3. This Recipe + Bread + Dal Curry

Spicy Bitter Gourd Recipe for Rice

Ingredients
  • Bitter Gourd – 150g
  • Onion – 50g
  • Green Chili – 2 or 3
  • Garlic Cloves – 2 or 3
  • Curry Leaves – Few
  • Thin Coconut Milk – 400ml
  • Tamarind Juice – 100ml
  • Curry Powder – 1 ¼ Tablespoon
  • Fenugreek Seeds – ¼ Teaspoon
  • Turmeric Powder – ¼ Teaspoon
  • Sugar – ¼ Teaspoon
  • Cooking Oil – 1 Tablespoon
  • Salt – As you need
  • Water – As you need
Instructions

1. Take the bitter gourd and cut it into 2-inch pieces as shown in the picture below. Take a bowl and add bitter gourd pieces, salt, and water. Leave it to soak for 10 to 15 minutes.

Simple Bitter Gourd Recipe Curry for Rice | Pavakkai Kulambu

2. Get ready with curry powder, turmeric powder, sugar, fenugreek seeds, and curry leaves. Also, slice the onions, green chilies, and garlic cloves. (Refer Note 1 and Note 2)

Simple Bitter Gourd Recipe Curry for Rice | Pavakkai Kulambu

3. Get ready with thin coconut milk and tamarind juice. (Refer Note 3)

Simple Bitter Gourd Recipe Curry for Rice | Pavakkai Kulambu

4. Now take the soaked bitter gourd pieces and rinse it thoroughly in normal water at least 1 or 2 times. Place the cooking pan over the stove. Add the rinsed bitter gourd pieces, curry powder, turmeric powder, sugar, and fenugreek seeds.

Simple Bitter Gourd Recipe Curry for Rice | Pavakkai Kulambu

5. Also, add sliced onions, garlic cloves, green chilies, and curry leaves.

Simple Bitter Gourd Recipe Curry for Rice | Pavakkai Kulambu

6. Add one tablespoon of cooking oil.

Simple Bitter Gourd Recipe Curry for Rice | Pavakkai Kulambu

7. Add tamarind juice.

Simple Bitter Gourd Recipe Curry for Rice | Pavakkai Kulambu

8. Also, add coconut milk.

Simple Bitter Gourd Recipe Curry for Rice | Pavakkai Kulambu

9. Mix it well and switch on the flame.

Simple Bitter Gourd Recipe Curry for Rice | Pavakkai Kulambu

10. Cook covered for 10 to 12 minutes under high flame. Take off the lid, stir and mix everything well.

Simple Bitter Gourd Recipe Curry for Rice | Pavakkai Kulambu

11. Again cook covered for 8 to 10 minutes under low flame. (Refer Note 4)

Simple Bitter Gourd Recipe Curry for Rice | Pavakkai Kulambu

12. Taste the curry and adjust salt if needed.

13. Serve and enjoy this Sri Lankan style thick and spicy bitter gourd recipe for rice.

Simple Bitter Gourd Recipe Curry for Rice | Pavakkai Kulambu

Notes

1. If you don’t like more spiciness, you can reduce the quantity of curry powder.

2. I used the small onions. If it is hard to find small onions use one large chopped onion. Note that small onions or shallots and tastier than large onions.

3. I made instant coconut milk from grated coconut. If you can’t get grated coconut, use the coconut milk powder or bottled coconut milk.

4. If you don’t like thick curry, it’s enough to cook 5 to 7 minutes under low flame.

Printable Recipe Card

Simple Bitter Gourd Recipe Curry for Rice | Pavakkai Kulambu
 
Save Print
Prep time
35 Mins
Cook time
25 Mins
Total time
1 Hour
 
Visit my site, www.topsrilankanrecipe.com where you can find detailed, step by step process of this recipe with images.
Author: Rocy
Recipe type: Vegetarian
Serves: 2 People
Ingredients
  • Bitter Gourd - 150g
  • Onion - 50g
  • Green Chili - 2 or 3
  • Garlic Cloves - 2 or 3
  • Curry Leaves - Few
  • Thin Coconut Milk - 400ml
  • Tamarind Juice - 100ml
  • Curry Powder - 1 ¼ Tablespoon
  • Fenugreek Seeds - ¼ Teaspoon
  • Turmeric Powder - ¼ Teaspoon
  • Sugar - ¼ Teaspoon
  • Cooking Oil - 1 Tablespoon
  • Salt - As you need
  • Water - As you need
Instructions
  1. Take the bitter gourd and cut it into 2-inch pieces. Take a bowl and add bitter gourd pieces, salt, and water. Leave it to soak for 10 to 15 minutes.
  2. Get ready with curry powder, turmeric powder, sugar, fenugreek seeds, and curry leaves. Also, slice the onions, green chilies, and garlic cloves. (Refer Note 1 and Note 2)
  3. Get ready with thin coconut milk and tamarind juice. (Refer Note 3)
  4. Now take the soaked bitter gourd pieces and rinse it thoroughly in normal water at least 1 or 2 times. Place the cooking pan over the stove. Add the rinsed bitter gourd pieces, curry powder, turmeric powder, sugar, and fenugreek seeds.
  5. Also, add sliced onions, garlic cloves, green chilies, and curry leaves.
  6. Add one tablespoon of cooking oil.
  7. Add tamarind juice.
  8. Also, add coconut milk.
  9. Mix it well and switch on the flame.
  10. Cook covered for 10 to 12 minutes under high flame. Take off the lid, stir and mix everything well.
  11. Again cook covered for 8 to 10 minutes under low flame. (Refer Note 4)
  12. Taste the curry and adjust salt if needed.
  13. Serve and enjoy this Sri Lankan style thick and spicy bitter gourd recipe for rice.
Notes
1. If you don’t like more spiciness, you can reduce the quantity of curry powder.

2. I used the small onions. If it is hard to find small onions use one large chopped onion. Note that small onions or shallots and tastier than large onions.

3. I made instant coconut milk from grated coconut. If you can’t get grated coconut, use the coconut milk powder or bottled coconut milk.

4. If you don’t like thick curry, it’s enough to cook 5 to 7 minutes under low flame.
3.5.3251

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What do you think about this simple bitter gourd recipe for rice? I am pretty sure that you are going to give it a try. If you have any questions or suggestions feel free to write it in the comment box below. Also, you can share this healthy vegan dish with your friends and family by clicking one of the social share buttons below.

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Filed Under: Healthy, Vegan, Vegetarian
Tagged With: Bitter Gourd, Lunch, Spicy

About Rocy

Hi There! My Name is Rocy. I'm a young loving wife and mother of two beautiful kids. I'm crazy on foods and always give a try on new dishes. This is my own site and I'm here to share the recipe of top Sri Lankan foods with you. I'm pretty sure that you will like my delicious dishes. Subscribe to my mailing list and get the recipes instantly. Read More...

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Hi There!

My Name is Rocy. I'm a young loving wife and mother of two beautiful kids. I'm crazy on foods and always give a try on new dishes. This is my own site and I'm here to share the recipe of top Sri Lankan foods with you. I'm pretty sure that you will like my delicious dishes. Read More…

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