Karela Aloo Sabji (Bitter Melon and Potato Stir-fry)

⏱️ Prep: 15m
🔥 Cook: 25m
🎬 Video: 5m 21s
📊 Easy

🏠 Cuisine: Nepali, Indian 🍽️ Course: Main Course, Side Dish 👥 Servings: 2-3

This is a very simple and healthy bitter melon and potato stir-fry, made in Nepali-Indian style. Bitter melon (Karela) is considered very beneficial for high blood pressure, the digestive system, and balancing blood sugar. In this recipe, the bitterness of karela is balanced by soft potatoes, spices, and a tomato base. This recipe is quick to make, delicious, and even more flavorful when cooked in balanced quantities. It does not contain garlic or onion. It’s a healthy, quick, and easy vegetarian dish that can also be made vegan, perfect for meal prep and delicious with rice or roti.

Instructions

  1. Thoroughly wash all vegetables.
  2. Slice the bitter melon and potato into uniform thin pieces.
  3. Chop the green chilies. Blend the tomatoes and green chilies together to make a paste.
  4. Heat oil in a pan. Add cumin seeds and let them splutter.
  5. Add the sliced bitter melon and sauté until golden brown. Remove the sautéed bitter melon and set aside.
  6. In the same pan, add the potatoes and sprinkle with a little turmeric powder. Sauté until the potatoes are soft and golden brown. Combine them with the bitter melon and set aside.
  7. Now, add the tomato paste to the pan and cook slowly until the oil separates and the raw smell disappears.
  8. Return the sautéed bitter melon and potatoes to the pan. Mix well and cook on low heat for a few minutes.
  9. Finally, sprinkle with sesame seeds for added flavor and crunch.
  10. While the bitter melon and potato stir-fry is cooking, boil masoor dal (red lentils) with turmeric and salt. This can be served as a side to complete the healthy meal.
  11. Transfer the prepared stir-fry to a bowl and serve hot with roti or rice.

💡 Chef’s Notes

This recipe does not contain garlic or onion. It can easily be made vegan.

Video Tutorial