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Crispy Bitter Melon Recipe
4.7 from 33 votes

Crispy Bitter Melon Recipe

The bitter melon recipe is enhanced with spices, sugar and cooked crispy so to reduce some of the bitterness. However, it will still be adequately bitter.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
20 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 234 kcal
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Asian, Indian

Ingredients

To Fry:
  • 2 Piece bitter melon medium sized fresh
  • 3 Tablespoons neutral cooking oil generic cooking oil
  • 1 onion sliced
  • 2 Pieces garlic cloves
  • 1 tomato sliced
  • 2.5 Ounces coconut raw freshly shredded
  • 1 Teaspoon garam masala
  • ½ Teaspoon Turmeric ground
  • ½ Teaspoon cumin seeds ground
  • ¼ Teaspoon red chili pepper or Cayenne
  • 1 Teaspoon coriander seeds ground
  • 1 ½ Tablespoon molasses sugar molasses
  • Pinch salt
  • 1 Tablespoon cilantro fresh chopped, aka Coriander leaves, fresh

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Start by cutting off the ends of the bitter melon and slice it lengthwise so that you can remove and discard the seed core of the fruit.
  2. If you want to reduce the bitterness to a minimum, then blanch them by keeping the slices for 2–3 minutes in boiling water and afterward cool them in ice water (drain water well).
  3. Cut the vegetable into slices.
  4. In a frying pan heat 2 Tbs (of the 3 mentioned in the ingredients) oil and add the bitter melon slices, stir-fry on high heat for 3-5 min.
  5. Take out from the pan, shake off excess oil and keep aside.
  6. Cut the Onion, Tomato, chop the Garlic and Coriander and keep the freshly scraped Coconut ready, as mentioned in the ingredients.
  7. Take a clean frying pan and fry the Onion translucent and throw in the garlic and tomato, frying for a while.
  8. Now add the shredded Coconut and stir-fry until the color changes to a golden brown and add minimal amount of water so that it doesn't stick to the pan from now on.
  9. Thereafter, you can add the bitter melon slices and the Garam masala, Turmeric powder, Cumin Powder, Chili powder, Coriander powder, Sugar, Salt, chopped Cilantro/Coriander leaves and stir-fry for another 2–3 minutes.
  10. Finished! You just cooked your first Bitter Melon dish. You can garnish (optional) with chaat masala seasoning or black rock salt, more fresh cilantro/coriander leaves and serve hot as a side dish. See serving suggestions in the post.

Notes

  • The longer you stir-fry it crispy (almost dark) the less bitter the bitter melon will be.
  • The combination of oil, sweetness, spices, heat, and other ingredients tone down the bitterness in this bitter melon recipe.
  • You can reduce the spice amount; however, it's not necessary as the dish is not spicy hot but rather flavorful.
  • Bitter Melon is usually always eaten in smaller quantities with other meals as a side dish

Nutrition Information

Calories 234kcal (12%) Carbohydrates 21g (7%) Protein 2g (4%) Fat 17g (26%) Saturated Fat 6g (30%) Sodium 57mg (2%) Potassium 420mg (9%) Fiber 3g (12%) Sugar 15g (30%) Vitamin A 510IU (10%) Vitamin C 45.8mg (51%) Calcium 39mg (4%) Iron 1.3mg (7%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4 servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 234

% Daily Value*

Calories 234kcal 12%
Carbohydrates 21g 7%
Protein 2g 4%
Fat 17g 26%
Saturated Fat 6g 30%
Sodium 57mg 2%
Potassium 420mg 9%
Fiber 3g 12%
Sugar 15g 30%
Vitamin A 510IU 10%
Vitamin C 45.8mg 51%
Calcium 39mg 4%
Iron 1.3mg 7%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.