How long does Uchhe Bhaja (Bengali Bitter Gourd Fry) take?

35 minutes from start to finish. That is 20 minutes of preparation and 15 minutes of cooking.

How many people does Uchhe Bhaja (Bengali Bitter Gourd Fry) serve?

4. The ingredient quantities on this page rescale if you are cooking for a different number.

Is Uchhe Bhaja (Bengali Bitter Gourd Fry) vegetarian?

Yes. No meat, no fish and no egg.

What do I need to make Uchhe Bhaja (Bengali Bitter Gourd Fry)?

250 grams Bitter Gourd, 500 ml Water, 3 tbsp Mustard Oil, ½ tsp Salt, ½ tsp Turmeric Powder, and a few more listed on this page.

Do I need a pressure cooker for Uchhe Bhaja (Bengali Bitter Gourd Fry)?

No, it is cooked in an open pot.

How many calories are in Uchhe Bhaja (Bengali Bitter Gourd Fry)?

About 117 a serving. The full nutrition table is on this page, per serving and for the whole batch.

Uchhe Bhaja (Bengali Bitter Gourd Fry)Cook

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Uchhe Bhaja (Bengali Bitter Gourd Fry)

Name: Uchhe Bhaja (Bengali Bitter Gourd Fry)
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Indian, Bengali
Ingredients: 250 grams Bitter Gourd, Slices; 500 ml Water, For Soaking; 3 tbsp Mustard Oil; ½ tsp Salt; ½ tsp Turmeric Powder

35 min
not spicy
Serves 4

Prep 20 min · Cook 15 min

Start cooking

4 steps, one at a time. Big words for every step, and a timer where a step waits.

Also known as ucche bhaja, karela bhaja · Veg · Dry sides

Dry sides Vegan Low carb Jain Gluten-free Dairy-free

Uchhe Bhaja is a Bengali bitter gourd side: thin slices fried crisp in mustard oil, tossed with salt and turmeric. Not spicy, serves 4, about 35 minutes.

Low calorie

Ingredients

5 items

4 people

Bitter Gourd, Slices250 grams
Water, For Soaking500 ml
Mustard Oil3 tbsp
Salt½ tsp
Turmeric Powder½ tsp

Nutrition

Per 1 person, and for all 4 people. Worked out from the ingredients, so treat it as a close guide.

Nutrient	Per 1 person	All 4 people
Energy	117kcal	468kcal
Protein	0.7g	2.8g
Carbohydrate	2.5g	10g
Fat	12g	48g
Fibre	1.8g	7.2g

Method

1
Wash the bitter gourds and cut them into thin round slices. Soak the slices in the water for 10 minutes, then drain and pat them dry on a cloth.
Bitter GourdWater
2
Heat the mustard oil in a kadai on high heat for 1 to 2 minutes until it just starts to smoke.
Mustard Oil
3
Add the bitter gourd slices and fry on high heat for 2 minutes. Lower the heat to medium and fry for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring often, until the slices turn dark brown and crisp at the edges.
4
Sprinkle the salt and turmeric powder and toss for 1 minute. Serve hot as the first bite of the meal with steamed rice.
SaltTurmeric Powder

Before you start

How long does Uchhe Bhaja (Bengali Bitter Gourd Fry) take?: 35 minutes from start to finish. That is 20 minutes of preparation and 15 minutes of cooking.
How many people does Uchhe Bhaja (Bengali Bitter Gourd Fry) serve?: 4. The ingredient quantities on this page rescale if you are cooking for a different number.
Is Uchhe Bhaja (Bengali Bitter Gourd Fry) vegetarian?: Yes. No meat, no fish and no egg.
Is Uchhe Bhaja (Bengali Bitter Gourd Fry) spicy?: No, it is not spicy.
What do I need to make Uchhe Bhaja (Bengali Bitter Gourd Fry)?: 250 grams Bitter Gourd, 500 ml Water, 3 tbsp Mustard Oil, ½ tsp Salt, ½ tsp Turmeric Powder, and a few more listed on this page.
Do I need a pressure cooker for Uchhe Bhaja (Bengali Bitter Gourd Fry)?: No, it is cooked in an open pot.
How many calories are in Uchhe Bhaja (Bengali Bitter Gourd Fry)?: About 117 a serving. The full nutrition table is on this page, per serving and for the whole batch.

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