A Bitter Monday ..... Stuffed Karela

So it was Monday morning. The blaring alarm went on until I slipped out of my warm cozy bed to stop it. Blaring because it was no Cuckoo clock but an old mechanical table clock. And believe me the fancy alarms won't work for me .... there are plenty available in the market these days. Bhajans, Instrumentals, and Bollywood filmi song alarm clocks. Yes I can afford one of those. And truly this bulky table clock looks nothing close to being attractive.

My grandmother had given me this 'Khandani' table clock on the day I left to hostel. And I am carrying it wherever I go. Call me an emotional fool if you like so ..... but that is the truth. My weekdays start with the alarm. And somehow I have a strong bonding with the clock.

This was no special Monday ..... I woke up trying to reach out the alarm clock. Baiji (My Cook)had arrived. Baiji was in her mid forties. She would be there dot on time every morning. Her starched cotton saree would be neatly wrapped with the pleats perfectly in place, her coconut oil smeared hair combed with a Malli Phula Gajra (Jasmine flower garland). She would smell like Lux soap. It was monday morning for her too and she was as usual grumbling at me for not stocking up the fridge with vegetables even after a weekend. I heard her chop the vegetables, her glass bangles made a nice jingle ..... she was cooking at an electrifying speed. Breakfast and Lunch had to be done in an hours time. The only reason I engaged her inspite of she trying to boss me and her frequent grumbling sessions was her food. Baiji was an amazing cook ..... unlike others she would cook with love. Everyday she would walk me up to the bus stop before going to the other houses.

As she handed me a neatly packed lunch box ..... 'Karela' she said with an evil smile. She knew my dislike for that vegetable. And it was sweet revenge for her for not stocking up the vegetables or getting the much needed grocery on time.

I was getting late for the bus and it was just not the time to worry about Karela or anything. All I was focused on was hopping on the bus and take a nap before reaching office.

Like always I saw many confused and sleepy faces in the bus and at office too. Half the day passed away talking about weekend. It was time for lunch ..... I opened my lunch box with with no enthusiasm at all .... and there was no one to blame. The stuffed karela's stared at me .... I preferred to exchange my lunch box with Saloni. Her mom had packed some amazing alu parathas. And she snatched mine .... yaaa she loved Karelas. She ate the first one and insisted on me trying one. The bitter truth was I loved it too. It was love at first bite !

So it was Monday again but the alarm didn't go off. I made these cute stuffed karelas remembering Baiji and thanking her for making my bitter monday a sweet one.

Ingredients

Small Karelas/ Bitter Gourd - 8 nos

Mashed Potato - 1/2 cup

Red Chili Powder - 1/2 tsp

Cumin Powder - 1/2 tsp

Coriander Powder - 1/2 tsp

Amchur Powder/ Dry mango powder - 1 big pinch

Salt to taste

Oil for frying

Method of Preparation

1 Scrape the Karelas/ bitter gourd lightly. Make a slit. Take water in a microwavable bowl. Add some salt to it. Dip the karelas/bitter gourd and microwave it for 3-4 minutes till they are soft. You may also boil it if you do not have a microwave. Remove from water andsqueeze it dry. Remove the seeds.

2 To the mashed potato add the dry masala and mix well. Add salt per taste.

3 Now stuff the masala into the karelas/bitter gourd.

4 Add some oil on a tawa/pan. When hot fry the karela/ bitter gourd. Fry on all sides till cooked. You may also opt to shallow fry it. But I prefer the tawa version as it is less oily.

Serving Tips

Serve warm with Rice