Baked Sweet Sour Bitter Gourd | Khatta Meetha Karela

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Crispy Baked Sweet Sour Karela – A delightful and healthy twist on bitter gourds! These baked slices are perfectly balanced with sweet and tangy flavors.

My husband never liked Karela until I made him this Baked Sweet Sour Karela. Now, he asks me to make it again.

It's a delightful transformation in his palate. I used to watch him cringe at the mere mention of bitter gourd, but one day, I decided to try something different. As I prepared the karela with a blend of sweet and sour flavors, I couldn't help but hope that it might change his opinion.

I presented the dish to him, a plate of beautifully baked sweet and sour karela, and he looked at it skeptically. Reluctantly, he took a bite. A moment later, his face lights up with surprise. The bitterness was there, but it was perfectly balanced with the sweet and tangy flavors.

He asked for more, and I couldn't help but smile. It's become one of his favorite dishes now. Now, every once in a while, he asks me to make it again. The power of a well-cooked meal to change hearts and minds never ceases to amaze me!!

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About Baked Sweet and Sour Karela
Ingredients For Khatta Meetha Karela Recipe
How to Make Baked Sweet Sour Karela
Storage
Tips
FAQ's
Indian Low-Carb Sides
Baked Sweet Sour Bitter Gourd | Khatta Meetha Karela
Dal Recipes | Indian Lentils

About Baked Sweet and Sour Karela

Baked Sweet and Sour Karela is a unique and flavorful dish made from bitter gourds (karela) that are baked with a sweet and tangy seasoning. The dish balances the natural bitterness of karela with the sweetness and spiciness of the seasoning, creating a delicious and healthy side dish.

Baked Sweet and Sour bitter gourd recipe is typically served as a side dish in Indian cuisine. It pairs well with steamed rice or various types of Indian bread like roti or paratha. The balance of flavors in this dish makes it a delightful and healthy addition to a meal.

The exact recipe can vary, with different regional variations and personal preferences, so you can adjust the level of sweetness and spiciness to suit your taste. This dish showcases the versatility of bitter gourds and how they can be transformed into a delicious and unique culinary experience.

Ingredients For Khatta Meetha Karela Recipe

Here's a description of the ingredients for Baked Sweet and Sour Karela:

Bitter Gourd (Karela): Known for its distinct bitter taste, Karela is often used in various cuisines for its health benefits and unique flavor profile. See the benefits of bitter melon at Healthline.com
Amchur Powder: It is used to add a tangy flavor to dishes and balance out the bitterness of the karela.
Jaggery: It adds a rich, sweet taste to the dish, complementing the bitter undertones of the karela.
Red Chili Powder: Adds a fiery and pungent flavor to the dish.
Cumin Powder: Adds warm and earthy flavor to the dish.
Coriander Powder: Provides a warm and slightly citrusy flavor to the dish.
Salt: Enhances the overall taste and helps to balance out the various flavors in the dish.
Oil: Used for baking the bitter gourd recipe.

How to Make Baked Sweet Sour Karela

Here is a simple recipe for Baked Sweet Sour Karela:

Preheat your oven to 400°F (205°C).
Wash the bitter gourds thoroughly and cut them into thin rounds. Note: I did not peel the karela, as we like the crispy exterior. Also, the karela I used were not too bitter. You can peel it fully or partially depending upon your liking. Also, I left the seeds in the karela as they were tender, but you may remove them.
Optional: To remove excess bitterness from the karela, toss the karela slices in some salt and set it aside for 15-20 minutes. After 15 minutes, rinse the karela and use it in the recipe.
In a bowl, combine the karela slices, oil, jaggery or brown sugar, cumin powder, red chili powder, turmeric, coriander powder, amchur powder, and salt. Toss well until the karela slices are evenly coated with the mixture.
Place the seasoned karela slices on a baking tray in a single layer.
Bake in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes, or until the karela slices are crispy and slightly caramelized.
Keep an eye on them and toss them half way through to ensure even cooking.
Optional: When karela is completely cooked, press broil and bake for 1-2 minutes to make it extra crispy. Keep an eye on them, as it can burn easily.
Once baked, remove from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes.
Serve the baked sweet sour bitter gourd recipe as a side dish with roti or paratha.

This recipe results in a delicious and crispy sweet and sour karela that makes a great accompaniment to any meal. Adjust the amount of jaggery and red chili powder to your taste preferences. Enjoy your baked sweet and sour bitter gourd recipe!

Storage

Store any leftover Baked Sweet and Sour Karela in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Reheat in the oven or a microwave when ready to enjoy again.

Tips

Here are some tips for making delicious Baked Sweet and Sour Karela:

Reduce Bitterness: Toss the karela slices with some salt and keep it aside for 15-20 minutes. After 15 minutes, rinse them thoroughly. This helps reduce their bitterness.
Adjust Sweetness and Spice: The amount of jaggery and red chili powder can be adjusted to suit your taste. If you prefer a sweeter or spicier flavor, feel free to add more or less accordingly.
Even Coating: Ensure that the karela slices are evenly coated with the sweet and sour mixture and oil before baking. This ensures that each piece has a well-balanced flavor.
Baking Time: Keep an eye on the karela while baking to prevent overcooking. They should be tender on the inside and slightly crispy on the outside.
Serve Fresh: Baked Sweet and Sour bitter gourd recipe is best when served fresh from the oven to retain its crispiness and flavors.
Pairing: This dish pairs well with other Indian dishes like dal and rice or with various bread options, so consider the overall meal when serving it.

By following these tips, you can make a tasty and well-balanced Baked Sweet and Sour Karela recipe that's sure to be a hit at your table.

FAQ's

How do you remove bitterness from karela?

Toss the karela slices with some salt and keep it aside for 15-20 minutes. After 15 minutes, rinse them thoroughly. This helps reduce their bitterness.

How do you balance bitterness in bitter gourd?

To balance the bitterness in bitter gourd, you can use ingredients like tamarind, amchur powder, jaggery, or sugar to add a sweet and sour element, which helps to offset the bitterness. Additionally, cooking bitter gourd with spices like cumin, coriander, and red chili powder can help to enhance its overall flavor profile.

How do you eat bitter gourd without bitter taste?

To enjoy bitter gourd without its bitter taste, you can first toss the sliced karela with some salt and keep it aside for 15-20 minutes to reduce the bitterness. After 15 minutes, rinse them well and cook them with ingredients like amchur jaggery, and spices, which will add sweet, sour, and savory flavors to balance the bitterness and create a more palatable dish.