Pavakkai Pitlai | Bitterguard Pitlai | Pagarkkai Pitlai |

• Cuisine: Indian
• Course: Lunch
• Prep time: 10mins
• Cook time: 30mins
• Serves: 3 Persons.

Ingredients:

• Bitterguard – 2 cups chopped
• Salt
• Turmeric 1/2 tsp
• Water 2 cups
• Tamarind extract – 2 cups
• Tomato – 1
• Oil
• Coriander seeds – 2 tbsp
• Chana dal 1 tbsp
• Red chillies – 6 to 7
• Coconut Shredded – 3 tbsp
• Peanuts – 1/2 cup
• Toor dal – 1/3 cup
• Coconut oil 2 tbsp
• Mustard 1 tsp
• Cumin – 1/2 tsp
• Red chillli – 1
• Curry leaves few

Pre- Preparations:

1. In a pan add bitterguard and water 2 cups.
2. Now add salt and turmeric.
3. Boil them until the pavakkai is cooked.
4. Grind one tomato to smooth paste and set aside.
5. In another pan add oil 1tsp.
6. Add coriander seeds, chana dal, red chillies.
7. Roast them golden brown.
8. Add shredded coconut and fry for a min.
9. Cool down and transfer to blender.
10. Grind them to smooth paste and set aside.
11. Soak peanuts in water for 30mins.
12. Pressure cook toor dal with 1/2 cup water and pinch of turmeric for 4 whistles.

Let’s make Pitlai:

1. In a vessel add tamarind extract.
2. Add tomato paste, turmeric and salt. Mix well.
3. Allow them to boil for 6-7 mins until raw smell goes.
4. Add the cooked bitterguard and soaked peanuts.
5. Cook for another 4 mins on medium flame.
6. Add pressure cooked too dal and grind masala paste.
7. Mix everything well.
8. Cook for 5mins
9. In a pan add coconut oil and mustard. Let it Splutter
10. Add cumin and dry red chilli. Also add few curry leaves. Mix well
11. Serve with hot rice.

• Note: You can also soak some chickpeas instead of peanuts.
• Same recipe can be followed and replace potato for pavakkai.