Bengali Style Aloo Korola Bhaja | Potato-Bitter Gourd fry

Bengali Style Aloo Korola Bhaja | Potato-Bitter gourd fry

Author: Rumki Paul
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Indian
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 20 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes
Servings: 3-4 Persons

Aloo-Korola bhaja (Potato-Bitter gourd fry) is an authentic Bengali dish. In this preparation, Potatoes and Bitter Gourds are cooked with a sprinkle of Turmeric powder, Chilli powder and Salt. It is mostly served as a side in the beginning of a Bengali thali as initiator.

It is a very easy and simple recipe. You would need very limited and easily available ingredients to prepare this dish. The best part of this recipe is that other than Turmeric and Chilli powder, no spices (Whole or Ground) are used. It is a very quick recipe and gets cooked within half an hour excluding the soaking time of Bitter Gourds.

Though I have tried so many recipes with Bitter Gourd but this one is really very special to me. It is a throwback to my childhood days. This dish goes excellent with plain Basmati Rice. It can be a great companion with Dal, Rice and Ghee.

My childhood with Bitter gourd

Bitter Gourd is a nightmare for almost every child and hence a Mom’s toughest challenge is to make their children eat it. I am still a die heart Bitter Gourd hater and I know many of you are on the same side with me.

For Bengalis, there is a day called Chaitra Sankranti, the last day of a Bengali year, and of course the toughest day of the year for me. On this day, it is compulsory to eat Bitter Gourd, Neem leaves, Paat Shaak and other bitter greens.

I still remember my childhood days, how I used to swallow Bitter Gourd with water. My Mom used to scold me and always tried hard to explain me the goodness of Bitter Gourd.

Today, I can understand her struggle with me because now I have myself become a mother and want to make my daughter eat all healthy and beneficial green vegetables. But before directly jumping into the recipe, I would like to share few interesting facts about the not so dear green vegetable, Bitter Gourd.

Health benefit of Bitter gourd

How to cook perfect Aloo Korola Bhaja

In this preparation, first, I have soaked the sliced Bitter Gourd in salted water for half an hour. It does not completely remove the bitterness of bitter gourd but reduces it to some extent.

I have used Mustard oil to cook this dish. Normally authentic Bengali dishes are often cooked in Mustard oil and I have done the same to carry forward the same legacy.

I have cut the Potatoes into small cubes for this dish. It gives a better texture to the dish with a nice bite. First, I have fried the Potatoes for some time before adding the Bitter Gourd slices.

I have used Turmeric powder and Chilli powder in this preparation. Both the spices give a nice colour to the dish. Chilli powder helps to add a spicy kick to the dish.

I have initially cooked the vegetables with cover but later I have cooked them without using lid and in medium or high flame. The Aloo Korola Bhaja may become mushy if it is cooked in low flame with cover throughout.

Ingredients:

• 1 large Bitter Gourd, deseeded and medium sliced
• 2 large Potatoes, small diced
• ¼ teaspoon Turmeric powder
• ¼ teaspoon Red Chilli powder
• Salt to taste
• Mustard oil for cooking

1. Soak the sliced Bitter Gourd in salted water for half an hour.
2. Then drain the water and keep them aside.
3. Add Oil into the pan.
4. Once the Oil is hot, add Potatoes and stir them well.
   

5. Cook it for 2 minutes in medium high flame.
6. Add Bitter Gourd and mix it nicely.
   

7. Cover the pan and cook them for 5 minutes in low flame.
8. Stir occasionally.
9. Add Turmeric powder, Chilli powder, Salt and mix them properly.
   

10. Cook them without cover in medium flame for 3-4 minutes.
11. Cook them until the vegetables get tender.