Pavakkai/Bittergourd thokku

Ingredients
Bittergourd-3 cups, finely chopped
Onion-1 medium size,chopped
Tomato-2, finely chopped
Garlic-7, chopped
Turmeric powder-1/4 tsp
Sambar powder(optional)-3/4 tsp
Tamarind extract-1 1/4 cup
Salt-to taste
Sesame oil-4 tbsp

To temper
Fenugreek seeds-1/4 tsp
Mustard seeds-1/4 tsp
Urad dal-1/2 tsp
Hing-a pinch
Red chilli-3
Green chilli-3
Curry leaves-few

Method
In a pan/kadai heat the oil. add the items given in the list'to temper'.When the seeds and chillies start to splutter,add chopped garlic and onion,fry till raw smell leaves or you can fry till it turns brown.then add turmeric and sambar powder and saute for a minute.

Add tomato and saute till it turns mushy.

Now add finely chopped bitter gourd and salt and saute it for few 2 minutes.

Cover the pan with lid and let it cook in simmer for 40-45 minutes.stir in between(3 cups of bitter gourd should be saute until it makes 1 cup).

Lastly,add tamarind extract and boil till oil oozes out.check the seasoning and garnish with coriander.

Serve with rice.

Notes
If you want gravy like consistency, dry roast a tsp of coriander seeds and grind it with coconut.add this to the mixture after tamarind gets cooked.
Do not add hing in too hot oil.
You can replace green and red chillies with red chilli powder.Adjust the spiciness to your taste.
If you like, increase the amount of onion.Small onions can also be added for better taste.
Same procedure can be used for ladies finger/okra puli kuzhambu