Bitter gourd chips are a delicious and crispy snack made from thinly sliced bitter gourd (also known as bitter melon or karela) that has been seasoned and deep-fried until golden brown. Here’s a simple recipe to make bitter gourd chips:
Ingredients:
- 2 medium-sized bitter gourds
- Salt, to taste
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder
- 1 teaspoon coriander powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder
- Oil for deep frying
Instructions:
- Wash the bitter gourds thoroughly and pat them dry with a kitchen towel. Using a sharp knife or a mandoline slicer, thinly slice the bitter gourds into rounds. Remove any large seeds if desired.
- Place the bitter gourd slices in a bowl and sprinkle them with salt. Toss well to coat the slices evenly. Let them sit for about 15-20 minutes. This helps to draw out excess moisture from the bitter gourd.
- After the resting period, rinse the bitter gourd slices under cold water to remove the excess salt. Then, drain them well and pat them dry with a kitchen towel to remove any remaining moisture.
- In a small bowl, mix together the turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder, and cumin powder to make a spice blend.
- Heat oil in a deep frying pan or kadhai over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, carefully add the bitter gourd slices in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan.
- Fry the bitter gourd slices until they turn golden brown and crispy, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes per batch.
- Using a slotted spoon, remove the fried bitter gourd chips from the oil and transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels to drain off excess oil.
- While the chips are still hot, sprinkle them with the prepared spice blend and toss gently to coat evenly.
- Repeat the frying process with the remaining batches of bitter gourd slices until all are fried and seasoned.
- Once all the chips are ready, let them cool slightly before serving.
Enjoy your homemade bitter gourd chips as a crispy and flavorful snack! They can be enjoyed on their own or served with your favorite dipping sauce.
