Pitlai is a thicker variation of sambar, prepared with freshly ground masala. Pavakkai pitlai is a tangy and spicy South Indian dish made with bitter gourd and a flavorful blend of spices. It is commonly served with rice or dosa.
Pavakkai Pitlai
8
servings10
minutes20
minutesLearn how to make the tangy and spicy South Indian dish pavakkai pitlai, a thicker version of sambar with freshly ground masala. Perfect with rice or dosa!
Ingredients
Bitter gourd – 3 Nos (Medium size)
Thuvar dhal – ½ cup
Boiled Peanuts – 1/2 cup
Grated Coconut -1/2 cup
Tamarind – small lemon size ball
Red chillies long – 4 Nos
Coriander Seeds – 2 tablespoons
Urad dhal-1 teaspoon
Bengal gram dhal – 2 tablespoons
Black Pepper – 1 teaspoon
Jeera (Cumin) -1 teaspoon
Turmeric powder – ½ teaspoon
salt-2 teaspoon or as per taste
Gingelly Oil – 1 tablespoon
Mustard – ½ teaspoon
Asafoetida powder – 2 pinches
Curry leaves – few
Directions
- Slit the bitter gourds and remove the seeds. Cut it into small pieces. (You can also cut it into thin round slices). Sprinkle little salt and mix well. Keep it aside.
- Soak tamarind in water and squeeze out the juice by adding 3 cups of water little by little.
- Pressure cook the thuvar dhal till soft.
- In a kadai put a teaspoon of oil and roast Bengal gram dhal, urad dhal, coriander seeds, pepper, jeera and red chillies one by one and keep it aside.
- Same kadai add coconut gratings and fry till it changes to light brown. Remove and cool. Mix all the roasted ingredients and fried coconut grating and grind to a fine paste.
- In a thick bottomed vessel put little oil. Take a handful of bitter gourd pieces and squeeze out all the water and add it. Fry the bitter gourd pieces for a while.
- Then add the tamarind juice, turmeric powder and salt. Stir well and bring to boil.
- When it boiled well and the bitter gourd is cooked, add the boiled peanuts, cooked dal, and the ground masala paste and mix well.
- Let it boil for few more minutes. Season it with mustard, asafoetida and curry leaves.
Notes
- If you desire, you can add a small piece of jaggery to lessen the bitterness.
- You can add cooked Kondai kadalai (whole channa) also instead of peanuts.