Pitlai
Grrrrrgh!
Course : Curry
From: HungryMonster.com
Serves: 4
 

Ingredients:

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
   2      medium        bitter gourds -- (karela)
     3/4  can           chickpeas
     1/2  cup           cooked toovar dal
   3                    green chiles slit
   1 1/2  teaspoons     tamarind paste
   3                    red dry chiles
   2      teaspoons     urad dal
   1 1/2  teaspoons     coriander seeds
     1/2  cup           grated coconut
                        peppercorns
     1/2  teaspoon      jaggery or sugar
                        turmeric -- to taste
                        salt -- to taste
                        mustard seeds -- (seasoning)
                        curry leaves -- seasoning
                        oil -- seasoning
 

Preparation:

Slit karela into four quarters and cut 1/2 inch thick pieces across. In a little oil, sauté cut karelas and green chiles. Add 2 cups water, tamarind, turmeric and salt. Let simmer until karelas are tender. Add chickpeas and jaggery/sugar. While karelas are cooking, in another pan sprinkle a little oil and fry coriander seeds, urad dal, red chiles and peppercorns until well roasted. Add coconut, stir a min or two and then grind in a blender. Add a little tomato paste if handy for color. Blend in coconut paste into the karela-tamarind mixture. Add the dal. Mix well and reheat a till it begins to simmer. Take off stove. Pour seasoning on top. Source: Shyamala Parameswaran