This chip is the one with which you have a love-hate relationship, and no intermediate one. This one you can’t find it in supermarket nor is it suitable for munching while watching tear jerker or high voltage action thriller or as tea time snack. Still they are good, as bitter gourd has lots of health benefits. I don’t think there are so many fans for bitter taste. I can proudly announce that almost every member of my house is a fan of bitter gourd. Yesterday when I made some my little one was happily munching it.
Those who are not familiar with bitter gourd/melon, it is one of edible fruit which is most bitter among all its counterparts. It is mainly used in Asian, Caribbean and African cuisine. In India there is folk wisdom that eating bitter melon or drinking bitter melon juice, will help to reduce diabetics. However, there is not clear cut scientific evidence on this, still some studies shows that it helps to increase insulin sensitivity. My grandma and mom used to say it helps to cure diabetics. Read more about bitter melon from here. Sometime like to blindly follow the the elder’s says. As my hubby is diabetic, we used to buy it during every alternative week of shopping. Earlier I used to make curries with them, if make stir-fry with coconut and onion, the bitterness is somewhat reduced and tastes great (Caution again you should like bitterness) or make curry with dal, or another preparation called theeyal. To make a change so I make a dish faster, I started baking them into chips. Both king and princess of my house started like them. He even takes some to office for munching in between.
This baking of bitter melon chips has two advantages according to me; first it reduced the problem of making any curry with them. Second it uses only less amount of oil. I usually bake with 2 tablespoon of olive oil and spice them with chili powder. Make them garlicky with little bit of garlic powder and salt. Chips are ready with 35-40 minutes of baking at 375 F. If you keep the bitter melon pieces salted for few hours before baking then it will reduce the bitterness and juices starts of leave from them while sitting. Here goes the recipe.
One year ago: Mambazha pulissery/Ripe mango in yogurt gravy
Print recipe from here
What you need
Bitter melon: 4 no
Salt: 1 teaspoon or to taste
Chili powder: 2 teaspoon ( adjust according to your spice level)
Garlic powder; 1 teaspoon
Olive oil: 2 tablespoon
How I made
Wash and cut both end of bitter melon and then cut them into ¼ inch thickness round and set aside in colander with ¼ teaspoon salt for 2 hours or more.
Preheat the oven to 375 F and line baking sheet with aluminum foil and set aside.
When you are ready for baking add chili powder, rest of salt and oil to the bitter melon and mix well so that each piece of bitter melon gets coated with spice mixture evenly.
Bake for about 40 minutes or until they are crisp with slightly browned at the edge. Around 20 minutes of baking flip the bitter melon pieces so that both sides get cooked evenly.
Enjoy as side dish or as munchies depending upon your wish.
Preparation time: 2 hour 40 minutes
Yield: 1 cup
Verdict: Yummy
Will you make it again; Yes I will
I am linking this baked chips to Foodies-follow-fridays-6
This is Swathi ( Dr. Ambujom Saraswathy Ph.D) from Zesty South Indian Kitchen who loves to explore cuisines from all over the world. Whenever possible I try to to give an Indian touch to several of the world cuisine, and has weakness for freshly baked bread. All the recipes you see here are created by me and approved after taste-test by my family.
The 21st Century Housewife© says
Oh wow, I have never heard of bitter melon - they look so cool, and I was interested to read your post about their health benefits too. I don't know if I can get them here, but if I ever see them I will give your recipe a try. Thank you for sharing this with Feed Me Tweet Me Follow Me Home. I love learning about new (to me) foods! The linky is up again for this week and I'd love it if you would come along and join in again. Have a lovely weekend.
Swarnavalli Suresh says
Nice healthy Karela..
First time at ur space.. Lovely blog...
http://akarmafood.blogspot.com
G.Pavani says
yummy fry..
Alea Milham says
This sounds fascinating! I bet the spices would be lovely on a mild flavored veggie for those who do not like bitter foods.
Jaisy James says
ente alltime fav anu pavakka nicely dne
Suman Singh says
Count me in....those chips looks super crunchy n irresistible...feel like munching some of these now!!
Kamakshi Prasanna says
healthy chips of pavakkai!I will try baking like this
Hema Mahen says
healthy and yummy chips...
Jay says
well done dear...tempting to grab bowlfull..
Tasty Appetite
Reeni says
You make very healthy and delicious chips for snacking on Swathi! I need to try some!
Adelina says
Lovely dish- am so eager to try this veggie one day- and maybe I will start with the baked way!
Sowmya says
Nice recipe....nutritious, guilt-free chips!
Vegetarian Cultural Creatives
Eat Hearty says
Swathi the bitter gaurd curry looks mouth watering, one of my fav!!
Ankita
http://eat-hearty.blogspot.com/
Charitha says
yumm yumm fry..i like bittergourd fry used to do 2 to 3 versions..so almost regularly i do this item..
http://womensera2008.blogspot.com/2011/03/event-announcement-c-for-colourful.html
Priya says
Its quite brilliant to bake bittergourd chips,feel like munching some.
Renata says
One more curious recipe I learned from you!
Joanne says
I've tasted karela before and was amazed at just how bitter it is! Looks like you've prepared it really well here!
Ann says
This looks so healthy and interesting, Swathi!
Pegasuslegend says
A very healthy alternative great idea!
Sonia says
This is looking absolutely delightful. Very nicely made and presented. First time at ur space and quite a lot to learn...thnks !
sinfullyspicy.com says
The first picture is beautiful Swathi.I never eat bitter gourd but the sound of your chips is really making my mouth water.Looks amazing.
divya says
wat a fantastic recipe...sounds delicious..
Viki's Kitchen says
Baking the bittergourd is a nice idea Swathi. Seems so crispy and delicious like chips....yummy!
Kartik says
I remember eating these as a child in India - I really used to hate them so much because they were so bitter. My mom use to use them for sambhar. This is actually quite a different approach and now I'm curious to see how it tastes.
Kartik
Miriam says
I've never heard of these before, they look wonderful! Miriam@Meatless Meals For Meat Eaters
Kairali sisters says
Ohh swathi, pavakka is my fav fav vegetable and this chips is simply awesome..
SravsCulinaryConcepts says
Loved the baked version.. looks so tempting !!
Pushpa says
Baking the bittergourd makes it even more healthy looking superb.
Sayantani says
love this in summer as a first course. but never tried baking them. super cool recipe.
An Open Book says
ah..the fact that u bake these makes it even more beautiful and welcome in my kitchen
sweethome says
Healthy snack. Have bookmarked it
Suja Sugathan says
Yummy and healthy..looks awesome.
Sharmilee! :) says
Baked its really a healthy alternative to deep frying...am going to try this next time I get bittergourd
Prathibha says
I make it exactly d same way....love it..
Deepa Praveen says
Yummy looking baked version..love it
valarskitchen-basics says
Healthy recipe!!!
Do visit me @http://valarskitchen-basics.blogspot.com/
Peggy says
I'm actually a fan of bitterness so I bet these chips would be great for me!
Aruna Manikandan says
love ur baked version...
looks perfect and crispy dear 🙂
Sushma Mallya says
I love bitter gourd fry they are delicious and baked one must be even more nice:)
garlutti says
Swathi ..... not bitter ... I know this class does not exist here ... but I think an interesting dish that Ilike toto try ... beautiful result ...hugs hugs MARIMI
michelangelo in the kitchen says
Swathi, this is an exciting and good-for-you dish! I heard so much about bitter melon benefits and I eat them whenever they are in season. I get them at the farmer's market alongside drumsticks and other healthy veggies. I'll definitely try them as chips! Thanks for sharing!!!
Rani acharyulu says
Great way of baking bitter gourd.Nice recipe.Book marked.
Priya Sreeram says
the chips look soooooo good ! am a huge fan of bitter gourd (yes !) and this one keeps me hooked !
PALATABLE says
Healthy and yummy! Love this baked version, must try it some time...
http://treatntrick.blogspot.com
Raji says
I love bitter gourd in any form and this one looks perfect..lovely recipe.
Marus says
Original what!. It is something new for my, it did not know it. Good weekend
Hari Chandana says
Healthy and delicious recipe.. Looks really awesome dear.. Gr8 job.. Nice clicks too.. Thanks for sharing !!
Nisa Homey says
Healthy snack.....now its in the must try list 🙂
Vimitha Anand says
My version is fried... But ur baked version looks so healthy and yummy too...
jayarajmurukkumpuzha says
assalayittundu...... aashamsakal......
kitchen queen says
lovely and healthy pavakai chips with detailed wonderful clicks too.I too am a fan of pavakai and make pitlai, curry, sambar etc off and on.
Tina says
healthy and easy...
Ramya says
I love bittergourd..great idea to bake it:-)
Bookmarked!!!
Sensible Vegetarian says
Very nicely made, excellent idea to bake them.
Sanyukta Gour(Bayes) says
Looks absolutely mouthwatering ...yummy n delicious fry
Sanyukta
http://creativesanyukta.blogspot.com/
kaarasaaram.com says
Wow .. this will be a wonderful partner for curd rice which is my favouriite combo. I just love the baked version which makes it even more tasty...
Reva
Reshmi Mahesh says
Yummy fry...baked version is really nice..
RS says
yummy fry dear:)
Hamaree Rasoi says
Hi Swathi
Amazing looking karela fry dear. Loved the look of it.
Deepa
Hamaree Rasoi
Mrs K says
What a fantastic snack to munch on,and it is such a pleasent surprise that your little one enjoys these. She has definately developed her taste buds very early. It takes a long time even for adults to develop a taste for bitter gourd.Lovely recipe:)