[Zeni]

Ingredients:
Bitter Gourd 3
Onion 1
Cilantro few sprigs
Salt 3 tsps
Oil 1 tbsp

Stuffing:
Besan / Gram Flour 4 tbsps
Ajwain 1/4 tsp
Garam Masala 1/2 tsp
Coriander Powder 1 tsp
Cumin Powder 1/2 tsp
Red Chilli Powder 1/2 tsp
Turmeric Powder a big pinch
Salt to taste
Oil 2 tsps

Method of preparation:
Lightly scrape, wash and make a vertical slit in the stomach of bitter gourd keeping its ends intact.
Remove and discard seeds, apply a tsp of salt all over and inside the bitter gourd.
Keep the salted bitter gourds aside for an hour or two.
Then, wash under running water and gently squeeze the bitter gourds to remove some of the bitterness.

Peel and finely chop onion.
Wash and roughly chop cilantro.

In a mixing bowl, add chopped onion, and all the stuffing ingredients.
Adjust any seasonings if required and mix everything well.
Stuff each bitter gourd with good amount of the prepared besan stuffing.

Heat a tbsp of oil in a nonstick pan on medium low heat, slowly place the stuffed bitter gourd in the pan.
Cook covered on all four sides for around 7 minutes each or until the sides turn golden brown.
Make sure to carefully turn the bitter gourd to uncooked side every 7 – 10 minutes.
Serve besan stuffed bitter gourd with plain steamed rice. Discard the ends of the bitter gourd while eating.
Notes:Choose small thin fat bitter gourds which aid in proper stuffing and frying.