Kakarakaya Ullikaram Masala - Bittergourd Onion Masala

Ingredients:
Bitter Gourd - 6-7, peel, wash and cut into 1 inch rings
buttermilk - 1/2 cup
2 spoons tamarind paste
1/4 spoon turmeric
1 small onion, sliced length wise

Ingredients for Masala:
1 medium sized onion,  cut into large pieces
1 spoon peanuts
1 spoon red chilli powder
1/2 bunch fresh coriander
1 spoon ginger garlic paste
1 spoon white gingelly seeds (thella nuvvulu)
1/2 tbsp jaggery
salt as per taste (usually 1/2 tbsp)
Grind all the ingredients into a smooth paste. Add 5-6 drops of water if required but not more.

Preparation:

• In a pan, add 2 cups of water, buttermilk, a pinch of turmeric, tamarind and bitter gourd pieces and boil till the gourd pieces are soft. Drain and keep aside. This process removes the bitterness from the gourd pieces
• In another pan, add 3 tb spoons of oil and once medium hot, add curry leaves and bitter gourd pieces, a pinch of turmeric and salt as per taste and fry till golden brown
• After bitter gourd pieces are golden brown, now add onion pieces and fry till onions turn gold brown.
• Add the above masala paste to the curry and fry on low heat
• Add coriander leaves before switching off the stove 

 This curry is very very very tasty :-) and goes well with white rice!