Baked Bitter Melon With Baby Red Potatoes Food

NO-FRY KARELA CRISPIES (BITTER MELON)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to about 375°F.
• Wash the bitter melon and slice them using a mandolin slicer into thin round slices.
• Mix with salt, turmeric and chilli powder and marinate for about 1/2 an hour. Squeeze excess moisture out.
• Spread foil on a baking tray and grease it with about a tbsp oil. Toss the bitter melon slices with 2 tbsp oil and spread them on the baking tray.
• Bake for about 5-7 mins and then broil it for 7 minutes Depending on the type of your oven, the broiling might be a few mins more or less. Crispy Karela -- without frying!

KARELA (BITTER MELON OR GOURD)

Steps:

• Rinse bitter melon.
• Trim on both ends as needed and scrape any blemishes or hard skin.
• Cut into small rounds.
• Heat the oil in a skillet on medium-high heat.
• Add karela almost in a single layer; stir and cook until brownish.
• Reduce the heat if they tend to burn.
• Add the onions, potatoes and all the seasonings; stir until the potatoes are cooked.
• Add the tomatoes.
• Cook slowly on medium low heat, half covered, stirring as needed, until everything is cooked.
• Variation: To make STUFFED KARELA: Mix all the seasonings for stuffing, substituting 1 teaspoon cumin powder for cumin seeds.
• Using a paring knife, make a long slit in each karela, from one end to another (leaving two ends and bottom of the pod intact).
• Keep the slit open with your thumb and use a spoon to fill the opening with the stuffing.
• Stuff all the karela this way.
• Cook karela in a wide skillet using 2 tablespoons oil, almost in a single layer, on medium heat.
• Stir gently so that stuffing does not come out.
• When half cooked, add the onions.
• Reduce heat to medium low, cooking slowly, half covered or uncovered, until karela are browned.

ROASTED BABY RED POTATOES

Steps:

• Place the red potatoes in a microwaveable bowl, add enough water to cover the bottom half. Microwave potatoes for 3-5 minutes to get them somewhat soft.
• Add all other ingredients together in a ziploc bag EXCEPT for the parmesan cheese -- set it aside for now.
• Remove potatoes from microwave and cut them in half.
• Place potatoes in the ziploc bag, shake until they are well covered with the mixture.
• Place the potatoes on a baking sheet, greased with a very small amount of peanut oil or cooking spray -- whatever you choose is fine, just so they don't stick.
• Sprinkle the potatoes generously with the parmesan cheese.
• Bake the potatoes at 400 for 20-25 minutes, turning them halfway through. Don't be afraid to let them brown as the crusty outside and tender inside makes them delicious.

LOADED BABY POTATOES

Steps:

• Position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Pierce the potatoes all over with a fork or the tip of a sharp knife. Place the potatoes directly on the center oven rack and bake until the skins are crispy and a knife easily slides into the potatoes, about 40 minutes. Transfer the potatoes to a wire rack until cool enough to handle, about 10 minutes.
• While the potatoes are cooking, put the bacon slices on a wire rack on a baking sheet and cook until crispy, 30 to 35 minutes. Let cool on the rack, then chop finely.
• Set the oven to broil. Slice each potato in half lengthwise and use a melon baller or small spoon to scoop out the inside flesh, leaving a 1/4-inch rim intact. Set the flesh aside for another use.
• Arrange the potato halves skin-side down on a baking sheet. Brush the exposed insides of the potatoes with the melted butter and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Flip the potatoes and brush with the remaining butter, then flip them back over. Fill each potato with some of the Cheddar and a pinch or 2 of the bacon. Cook until the cheese is bubbly and melted, about 2 minutes.
• Top each potato with 1/2 teaspoon creme fraiche and a sprinkling of chives. Serve immediately.

BABY RED POTATOES WITH GARLIC AND PARSLEY

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Grease a 2 quart casserole dish (I use garlic flavour Pam).
• Scrub potatoes, chop into halves or quarters, depending on size of potato; place in casserole dish.
• Cut butter into pats; place randomly around top of potatoes.
• Sprinkle with parsley.
• Sprinkle with garlic.
• Bake, uncovered, at 375 degrees for about 10 minutes.
• Stir; cover; continue baking at 375 for about an hour, or until the potatoes are tender, stirring a couple more times during baking.

BAKED BITTER MELON WITH BABY RED POTATOES

Steps:

• 1. Boil the potatoes in water to cover until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain, let cool, then cut into thin wedges. Preheat the oven to 500°F. Lightly grease a baking tray. Wash the bitter melons and cut them into 1/3 inch thick round slices. Add 1 teaspoon oil and the turmeric and toss with the bitter melon slices to mix well. Place on the baking tray in a single layer and bake until golden, 15 to 20 minutes. Turn over and reposition the slices on the tray for even cooking, and remove the pieces as they turn golden, after about 5 minutes.2. Heat the remaining oil in a large nonstick wok or skillet over medium-high heat and add the cumin and fennel seeds they should sizzle upon contact with the hot oil., Quickly add the onion and cook, stirring, until medium brown, about 7 minutes. Transfer to a bowl.3. To the pan, add the potatoes and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Mix in the baked bitter melons and the cooked onions, then add all the remaining spices and the salt. Cook over medium heat, turning gently, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a plate.4. To the pan, add the tomato wedges and chopped cilantro and stir about 2 minutes. Add the bitter melon platter as a garnish and serve.From "1,000 Indian Recipes." Copyright 2002 by Neelam Batra. Used with permission of the publisher, Wiley Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.