Pavakkai Pitlai ---- Bittergourd Gravy

This is a very traditional Dish... made with Bitter gourd. Even though the name sounds complicated it is basically a different version of sambar...

This recipe makes 10 servings. 
Macro Counts per servings of about 220 gms each - FAT 2.6 gms, Carbs 11.7 gms Protein 4 gms

I haven't added any peanuts to this, the macro counts will change if you add them.

You will need
Bitter gourd -- Sliced in half, seeds removed and sliced thinly in semi circle rounds-- about 4 cups (400 grams)
Oil - 3 teaspoons
Water- As needed (around 5 cups)
Tamarind - a lemon sized ball
Coriander Seeds - 3 to 4 tablespoons (30 gms)
Red Chillies - 10
Coconut - 30 gms
Channa Dal (Split and skinned Garbanzo Beans) - 25 gms
Turmeric Powder - 1/2 teaspoons
Salt - 2 to 3 teaspoons or as needed
Sambar Powder - as needed (recipe found here)

To Pressure Cook
150 g  Tuvar Dal (3/4 cup)
30 g Channa Dal (1/4 cup)(Optional, don't use if using peanuts or whole chickpeas)

 To garnish 
 Oil - 2 teaspoons
Mustard Seeds - 1 teaspoon
Curry Leaves - 1 strand
Red Chillies - 2 Teaspoons

Method

--- Soak the Tamarind in about 1 cups of warm water, after a few minutes squeeze tamarind and extract the juice.
--- In a Pan, add a teaspoon of oil, roast the Channa Dal and Coriander seeds, after they become slightly roasted, add the red chillies. Let it cool.
-- add some water and the coconut to this and grind to a smooth paste.
---  Add two teaspoons of oil and start by frying the bitter gourd, until they lose some of the bright green color.
--- Add the tamarind juice to it, the turmeric powder, sambar powder, salt and te rest of the water, let it come to a boil and let the bitter gourd cook completely.
--- Once the bitter gourd is cooked, (you should be able to break a slice in two with  a spoon easily).
--- add the ground paste to it and let it come to a boil.
--- Add the pressure cooked dal to this, and bring to a boil.
--- As an option you can add boiled chickpeas or boiled groundnuts to this,
--- For garnish, in a separate pan, add oil, then the mustard once that starts sputtering, add the red chillies and curry leaves and add it to the bitter gourd gravy while it is still sizzling....
--- fresh Coriander leaves can be added to this..

Serve with hot rice or hot rotis.....