Two Bittergourd dishes

Bittergourd Fry with Besan (Chickpea flour)

Bittergourd is one of my favourite vegetable. This is a simple and easy bittergourd fry . The addition of besan reduces the bitterness of the bittergourds. I learnt this recipe from my mom.


Ingredients:

2 medium sized bittergourds
1/3 cup besan powder (chickpea flour)
3/4 tsp chili powder
Pinch of turmeric
Salt to taste
Water as needed


Method:

• Cut the bittergourd into 2 pieces length wise, deseed and slice them thinly.
• Make a thick paste by combining besan, chilli powder, turmeric and salt.
• Heat some oil in a pan and stir fry the sliced bittergourds untill they are slightly browned.
• Now add the basan paste and stir untill it is cooked or for about 6-8 minutes.
• Remove from heat and serve.
  

Spicy Bittergourd Curry

This is another bittergourd recipe made very often in my house. This is a spicy bittergourd curry which is not so bitter. It is slightly sweet and tangy and serves as a great side dish with rice.

Ingredients:

2 medium sized bittergourd(2 cups)
2 green chillies finely chopped
1 tsp chili powder
Pinch of turmeric
1/2 tsp of tamarind paste
1 tbsp sugar or more if needed
1 sprig curry leaves
1 dried red chilli
1/4 tsp Mustard seeds
Salt to taste
3/4 cup of water(more if needed)

Method:

• Cut the bitergurd into 2 pieces lengthwise, deseed them and slice them thinly.
• Heat some oil in a pan, add dried red chillies and mustard seeds. When the mustard seeds splutter add curry leaves. Now add the bittergourd and green chillies and fry untill they are slightly browned.
• Now add turmeric and chilli powder and fry for a minute.
• Now add water, tamarind paste, salt and allow the mixture to boil.
• Remove from heat and stir in the sugar. Serve with rice.(Note: Adjust the chilli powder and sugar according to your taste.)

I am sending these to VOW-Bittergourd hosted by Pooja of My Creative Idea's.

Tiramisu

Tiramisu is a famous Italian dessert. It consists of ladyfingers or savoiardi biscuits dipped in coffee and layered with creamy mascrapone cheese. They have been on my list for quite a longtime and last week I finally made these. I made these in individual bowls instead of a single dish, as it would be easier to serve. This recipe does not use any eggs for the filling. The filling is made using a mixture of mascrapone, cream cheese, sugar and coffee.




Ingredients:

3/4 cup of Expresso
3 tbsp Kahlua (coffee flavoured liquer)
1 block of cream cheese (8 ounce)
1 1/2 cups of mascrapone cheese (6 ounce)
1/2 cup + 1 tbsp granulated sugar
20-24 Italian ladyfingers (Savoiardi biscuits)
2 tsp of Cocoa powder or chocalate shavings for garnishing



Method:

• In a small shallow dish , mix expresso and Kahlua coffee liqueur.
• In a large bowl, combine cream cheese and mascrapone cheese, beat at medium speed untill smooth. Add sugar and 3 tbsp of expresso-coffee liquer mix and beat at medium speed untill well blended. (Note: I used fat-free cream cheese)
• Dip each ladyfingers in the expresso kahlua mixture , only for aboout 5 seconds. If they are placed in the mixture for a long time they will fall apart. Place the soaked ladyfinger on the bottom of the dessert cups or glasses, breaking them if needed in order to fit to the bottom.
• Spread about 3 tbsp of cheese mixture over the ladyfingers. Place another layer of soaked ladyfingers and top it with some cheese mixture. Fill the remaining cups in the same way. (Note: Instead of making individual tiramisu's you can arrange the ladyfinger and cheese mixture in a 8-inch square baking tray .)
• Cover the cups with plastic wraps and refrigerate for a minimum of 5 hours. I refrigerated it overnight.
• Sprinkle cocoa powder on top before serving. This recipe yields about 8 servings.