Kakarakaya(Bittergourd) Curry

Ingredients:
Bittergourd - 1 cup chopped into small pieces (with the skin. Do not peel the skin)
Red chillies - 2
curry leaves - 5
Mustard seeds - 1/4 tbsp
Urad Dal- 1/2 tbsp
Tamarind juice - 2 tbsp
Hing (Asafoetida) - 1 pinch
salt as per taste
red chilli powder - 1 tbsp
turmeric - 1 pinch
jaggery/sugar - 1 tbsp
chopped coriander leaves - 1tbsp for garnish

Method:
1. In a bowl, add bittergourd pieces and a tablespoon of salt and keep aside for 15min. After 15 min, mix them and squeeze the pieces.  This will remove the extra bitterness from the bittergourd.
2. In a pan, add oil and when it is hot, add  asafoetida, red chillies, urad dal, mustard seeds, curry leaves and fry for a min
3. Add bittergourd pieces, turmeric and salt and cook till bittergourd pieces turn soft. No need to add water
4. Add red chilli powder, tamarind juice and jaggery and cook for 5 min. 
5. Garnish with coriander leaves

This curry goes well with hot white rice!