Paneer Bitter Gourd |Stuffed Bitter Gourd Recipe | Bharwan Paneer Karela | Gluten Free Recipe

Hi Supermoms,

Some delicious recipes happen by accident !

I had no intention of cooking bitter gourd for lunch .Looking at the kilo plus of bitter gourd sitting in my kitchen counter (as the online vegetable delivery decided to double my order), I changed my mind. 

The first recipe that came to my mind was to make chips with it . My daughter’s face came to my mind. I dropped the idea. Then I saw the paneer in the fridge. That triggered an idea. Why not make, stuffed bitter gourd. I haven’t done it in a long time and also I can share the recipe with all of you too. 

The best part of this recipe is the ease with which the stuffing can be made. Hand pounding the spices makes the dish stand out . It is a crowd pleaser and a keeper of a recipe. 

The same masalas can be used with Tofu and Soya chunks . Even my bitter gourd hating daughter loved this dish. Marinating the bitter gourd in salt and lemon mixture removes the excess bitterness. 

Go ahead and try this recipe. Do share your feedback with me. 

Paneer Bitter gourd |Stuffed Bitter gourd Recipe | Bharwan Paneer Karela

Preparation time : 30 minutes

Cooking time : 30 minutes

Makes : 8 stuffed paneer bitter gourd

1 cup= 250 ml cup 

Ingredients :

To marinate

8 bitter gourds (medium sized, de-seeded)

1 teaspoon salt

Juice of 1 lemon

For the stuffing

3-4 garlic cloves

1/2”ginger

3 teaspoons bitter gourd seeds (optional, you can use all the seeds too)

2 green chillies

200 gm paneer (crumbled)

1/2 teaspoon Kashmiri chilli powder 

1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder

1/4 teaspoon garam masala powder

1 teaspoon sugar( I used brown sugar)

2 teaspoons besan/gram flour

Salt to taste

20-25 mint leaves(finely chopped)

2 teaspoons sesame oil

1/4 teaspoon cumin seeds

To shallow fry

1 tablespoon sesame oil or oil of your choice (adjust)

Method:

1. Scrap the outer skin of the bitter gourds(optional),make a vertical cut in the centre leaving the base of the bitter gourd intact.

2. Gently scoop out the seeds and set it aside.

3. Rub the bitter gourds with salt, inside out and squeeze fresh lemon juice over them.

4. Allow the bitter gourds to rest for 30 minutes.

Chef tip: After the soaking time, wash them in clean water.

5.While the bitter gourd is resting, let us prepare the stuffing.

6.Crush ginger, garlic, green chillies and bitter gourd seeds in a mortar and pestle to a paste.

7.To crumbled panner add sugar, red chilli powder, turmeric powder, besan, mint leaves, garam masala powder and mix well.

8.Heat a kadai or pan with oil and temper with cumin seeds.

9.Add the ginger garlic mixture and fry for a few seconds.

10.Now add the paneer mixture, salt and cook over low flame till all the extra water is absorbed 

Chef tip: Make sure to keep stirring the mixture. This step will take at least 8-10 minutes.

11.The stuffing is now ready. Spoon the mixture into each bitter gourd. Fill them tightly.

12.Heat a wide pan with oil and place the stuffed bitter gourd face down on the open stuffing side on the pan.

13.Move the bitter gourd so that they fry evenly on all sides.

Your delicious and healthy Paneer Bitter gourd is now ready.

I served it along with our lunch. It was just too yummy.  You can also make this recipe using Tofu or Soya nuggets . It tastes equally delicious. 

Happy Cooking!

With love,

Masterchefmom