Village style Bitter gourd anchovies curry(gramathu karuvadu kulambu)

Ingredients

Medium sized dried anchovies 15-20

Bitter gourd chopped 2

Onion chopped 1

Tomato chopped 2

Garlic pods 10-15

Fennel seeds ½ tsp

Fenugreek seeds ½ tsp

Curry leaf 2 sprigs

Curry chilli powder(kulambu milagai tool) 2 tbsp

Tamarind extract 4 tbsp

Salt and oil as required

Preparation

1.      Cook bittergourd in water and drain water and keep aside

( I pressure cook for 3 whistles)

2.      Remove head from anchovies.

3.      Soak dried anchovies in water for 10-15 min.

4.       clean the intestine part(black sting like)

5.      Strain water and wash under running water and keep aside

6.      In a pan add oil, fennel seeds, fenugreek seeds, curry leaf, onion and garlic. Saute well

7.      Add cleaned anchovies ad saute once

8.      Add cooked bittergourd and tomato and cook till tomato turns mushy

9.      Add ½ cup water and allow the anchovies to cook

10.  Add curry powder, tamarind extract and enough water

11.  Bring it to boil and adjust salt

Serve with rice

Tastes good with rice the next day.