Stuffed Bitter Gourd

Ingredients :

• Bitter gourd : 2 big size
• Boiled chana dal : 1/2 cup
• Chopped onion : (optional)  1 & 1/2 teaspoons
• Chopped green chili : 2
• Sesame seeds : 2 & 1/2 teaspoons
• Chopped coriander leaves : 1 & 1/2 teaspoons
• Lemon juice : 1/4 teaspoon
• Chat masala : 1 teaspoon
• Chopped Raw Mango :  1/2 teaspoon
• Dates and Tamarind chutney :  1 & 1/2 teaspoons
• Sugar : 1/4 teaspoon
• Salt to taste
• Oil : 1/2 teaspoon
• Extra oil : 1/2 teaspoon
• Chopped mint leaves : 1 & 1/2 teaspoons
• Asafoetida (hing) : 1/4 teaspoon
• Mustard seeds : 1/4 teaspoon

• Peel the bitter gourd and cut them in to small pieces (approximately 5-6cm).
• Take a bowl, add salt, bitter gourd pieces in it and mix properly. Let it rest for  10 minutes.
• Roughly crush chana dal.
• Heat oil in a pan, add mustard seeds let them crackle and add onion. Sauté for few seconds.
• Add chana dal and cook for 3 minutes, add sugar, salt and raw mango.
• Stir properly, add green chili, sesame seeds, lemon juice, chat masala and dates/tamarind chutney.
• Remove from heat and sprinkle some coriander leaves.
• Let it rest for few seconds.
• Wash bitter gourd with water and steam it for 5 minutes.
• Remove from steamer and stuff it with chana dal mixture.
• Apply 1/2 teaspoon oil in pan and shallow fry the stuffed bitter gourds for 2 minutes.
• Garnish with chat masala and coriander leaves.