STUFFED SNAKE COY / SERPENT GOURD CURRY

STUFFED SNAKE COY / SERPENT GOURD CURRY

Ingredients

1 kg beef or mutton mince

1 medium sized snake gourd scrape and cut into 2 inch pieces after removing the insides

3 medium sized onions chopped

3 large tomatoes pureed

½ cup coconut paste

A small bunch of coriander leaves chopped

2 teaspoons ginger garlic paste

3 teaspoons chillie powder

1 teaspoon spice powder

2 teaspoons coriander powder

½ teaspoon turmeric powder

Salt to taste

2 green chilies chopped

3 tablespoons oil   

Wash the snake gourd and keep aside. 

Marinate the mince with a teaspoon of chillie powder, turmeric powder, a little salt and some chopped coriander leaves. 

In a pan heat the oil and fry the chopped onions till golden brown. Add the ginger garlic paste and sauté for some time. Add the chillie powder, coriander powder, spice powder, green chilies, coconut and salt and fry for a few minutes. Add the tomato puree and fry till the oil separates from the mixture. Now add 2 cups of water and bring to boil.  

Meanwhile stuff the snake gourd rings with the marinated mince. Pack each ring tightly so that the mince does not fall out.  

Slowly drop the stuffed snake gourd pieces into the boiling curry and cook on low heat till the gravy is sufficiently thick and the mince is cooked.  

Garnish with chopped coriander leaves. 

Serve hot with coconut rice or plain rice.

BITTER GOURD /BITTER MELON FRY

FRIED BITTER GOURD

BITTER GOURD: Bitter gourd is also called Balsam pear or bitter melon. Bitter gourds are very low in calories and are an excellent source of vitamins and minerals and has high dietary fiber. Bitter Gourd is one of the most popular vegetables in India and other South Asian countries and can be prepared in a variety of ways. Here is a very simple recipe for a Fried Bitter Gourd side dish.

 Ingredients

½ kg tender bitter gourd

2 teaspoons chillie powder

1teaspoon cumin powder

½ teaspoon turmeric powder

Salt to taste

3 or 4 tablespoons oil

Scrape and wash the bitter gourds then cut them into thin slices.

Soak the slices in salt water for about 2 hours.

Drain and squeeze out the excess water.

Mix the bitter gourd slices with the chillie powder, cumin powder, turmeric powder, and salt. Heat oil in a pan and fry the bitter gourd slices till golden brown and crisp.