Karela Chips

Karela - I made a face looking at my mother as she placed some stir fried Karelas on my plate.I yelled showing my discomfort at eating it. But she was stern and I have to gulp it down.With tears in my eyes I swallowed it quickly like a bitter pill.My family ate it often due to its food value. Later my mother developed a recipe for Karela which I looked forward to on my plate.Last time when I was home, I learnt it from my dad, who is equally a good cook.
J also loves Karela, these days I make it often .... rather should say it has become a part of our comfort food. I am sure that people like me who dread at the name of this bitter vegetable are going to change thier opinion once they try this out.This bitter vegetable is known for its medicinal values , it helps control diabetics and is known to cleanse the stomach and purify blood.

Preparation Time - 20 minutes
Serves - 2
Ingredients
Chopped Karela - 1 cup
Gram Flour - 1 tbsp
Red Chillie Powder - 1 tsp
Turmeric Powder - 1 pinch
Salt per taste
Oil for frying
Method of Preparation
1 Wash the Karela and cut it into round pieces. Don't cut it too thick or thin.

2 Sprinkle salt, turmeric and chillie powder and keep aside for minimum 15 minutes. The salt will help ooze out the juice from the Karela.

3 Sprinkle the Gram Four and mix it well.

4 Heat oil in a Kadhai. When hot shallow fry the Karela.

Serving Tips

Serve when hot immediately after frying.

Notes

Sprinkle little water if needed when mixing the Gram four.

Variation

You may try this with rice flour too. It will make that extra crispy. Or combine both rice and gram flour.

Other Names

Karela Chips - Karela Fritter, Bitter Gourd Fritters,Karela - Bitter Gourd/ Kalara, Gram Flour - Besan