Tasty Bitter Goard (Karela) paratha
Bitter gourd, or “karela” in Hindi, is often relished for its benefits mostly despised for its bitter taste. If you didn’t know already, it is an excellent source of vitamins B1, B2, and B3, C, magnesium, folate, zinc, phosphorus, manganese, and has high dietary fibre. Karela is also rich in iron, and contains twice the beta-carotene of broccoli, twice the calcium of spinach, and twice the potassium of a banana, according to Health.com website. I have tried multiple karela recipes for kids and Karela Paratha is our current favourite.
Health Benefits of Bitter Goard/ Karela
- Blood purifier: The antimicrobial and antioxidant properties which are present in karela help in treating skin problems, blood disorders, removing toxins from the blood and purifying it. Karela also improves blood circulation, helps to cure issues like rashes, acne, blood boils and even it is considered that Karela hinders the growth of cancerous cells in our body.
- Weight loss: Eating Karela or drinking the juice of karela stimulates the liver to secrete bile acids, these acids are essential for metabolising fat in the body. Besides all this, a 100g serving of bitter gourd contains just 17 calories which makes it a great option for fitness enthusiasts.
- Improves immunity: Karela is an extremely rich source of vitamin C (though it is not Sour) which helps to boost immunity. It also has some powerful antiviral property, which stimulates our immune system and also aids in good digestion.
- Great for diabetes: We all might be aware of this benefit that karela has a certain insulin-like protein called polypeptide P that mimics the action of insulin which lowers blood sugar levels in diabetic patients. It is also good for pregnant ladies to avoid chances of Gestational Diabetes.
- Fights acne: Consuming karela can really help you get rid of acne, blemishes and skin infections, as it removes toxins from the body and gives a healthy and glowing skin.
We all know various recipes wherein the bitterness is also reduced to a major extent. But still, we face a lot of trouble making our kids eat it. We better blame Karela for its bitter name. But have you tried karela paratha, it’s so easy to hide the karela in there and it tastes yummy too.
RECIPE: Karela Paratha, Healthy recipe for kids
Ingredients for Karela paratha
For dough
- 1 ½ cup. Whole wheat flour
- Salt to taste
- Water as required
- 1 tsp Ghee/olive oil
For filling
- 1 medium-sized Bitter Gourd/karela- washed, peeled, finely chopped and mix with 1 tsp of salt
- 2 tbsp Mashed potatoes (optional)
- Salt to taste
- ¼ tsp. Garam masala powder
- 1 tsp Cumin seeds
- 1-2 green chillies finely chopped
- 1 tbsp Coriander powder
- ¼ tsp Turmeric powder
- 1 Onion finely chopped
- ½ tsp Ginger-garlic paste
- Half cup dry coconut- grated (Optional)
Karela Paratha: filling preparation
- Squeeze the excess moisture and bitterness from the chopped & salted karela. Keep aside.
- Heat oil in a pan and add cumin seeds, green chillies, onions, ginger-garlic paste and the grated coconut if you like, else you may skip it.
- Fry till fragrant and golden brown. Add salt, turmeric, coriander, and garam masala.
- Now add the squeeze-dried karela and continue to cook till the karela is cooked. Adda tbsp. of mashed potatoes for binding (optional).
Karela Paratha Preparation
- Make the dough for parathas, by mixing wheat flour, oil, salt and water. Knead the dough to form a smooth dough.
- Roll out two small balls of dough into small circular Rotis and sandwich the filling in between and roll out the paratha. Repeat this to make more parathas.
- Roast on both sides on a tava and serve hot.
Your tasty yummy Karela Paratha is ready. Serve hot with curd or pickle as you like.
This post was originally written for #MyfriendAlexa 2018 and then updated to make it suitable for #SuperFoodforHealthyYou series under #BlogchatterA2Z
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Hi,
Wonderful idea to hide Karela in parathas
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Amazing and beautiful post. Karela paratha is so tempting and mouthwatering. This paratha is so nutritious and healthy. Great thoughts.
O wow.. this looks so yumm and indeed healthy.. may be this way i can make my kiddo eat some karelas
Karela has so many health benefits never know that. Karela paratha sounds intriguing. #dewreads
#MyFriendAlexa
Such a great recipe. I loved it. Thanks for sharing will try!!
I agree karela has lots of health benefits. I had made its vegetables so many times but not heard about its paratha. will surly try this. it it taste bitter or not? #surbhireads
Never thought of using karela I. A Parantha stuffing. Need to try this
This looks so yum, never thought karela can look so tempting. will definitely try out.
I like karela filled with spices and onions. Its really v healthy
Karela is a favorite of my Dad and Hubs! I should totally try and make this for them ❤
This is a first i heard of a bitter gourd paratha though i try quite some variations with it to suit the palette. Great recipe. thanks for sharing. 🙂
Never heard about Karela Parantha ,this one is really sound interesting will gonna try it for sure
Ahh.. sure do try it would be great to know your feedback.
I love karela, I have tried many recipes of this vegetable but never thought that we can make paratha out of it. I am so trying it this weekend.
Am not at all a fan of Karela but this probably would be the only way I could eat them.. will surely give it a try
I love karela as a side dish but never heard about karela paratha…interesting..would give it a try..
Kalera Paratha…?? Never Heard about it. Its a new dish yaar. I am going to prepare this. Thanks for the recipe…
I’m not a big fan of Karelas even though I’m aware of its benefits. But after reading your recipe I am keen to try it out. Looks simple and tasty. Thanks for sharing!
Wonderful idea to hide Karela in parathas. Definitely trying it out next time we buy karela
Namratha from #firstgreenstep
First time i heard about Karela Paratha,.. I was almost going to type kerala paratha!!! I am not big fan of karel though, but this looks pretty interesting
Glad you find it interesting, I am sure you would love to eat it as well. I love karela in any form though #KarelaLover
I like eating Karela but never tried in the form.of a parantha. Shall try this recipe now.
Oh wow.. I hardly see people talking about eating or liking Karela. I just love it in any form 😀
This is an interesting recipe… Shall try as I love bitter gourd
I must say, heard it for the first time. I came a long way from hating karela as a kid to loving it as an adult! WIll suggest this recipe to my mom.
Glad you find it interesting. Do give it a shot