Pavakkai pitlai | Pakarkaai Pitlai

Pavakkai pitlai , paavakkai pitlai, pitlai recipe, pagarkkai pitlai, Sambar, sambhar, Sambar recipe, Sambar with coconut, arachuvitta sambar recipe with step-by-step pictures, and video recipe. Check out the Pavakkai pitlai recipe and if you like the video pls SUBSCRIBE to my channel.  

Pavakkai Pitlai is a traditional South Indian kuzhambu made with bitter gourd, toor dal, freshly ground coconut masala, and cooked chickpeas for added texture. This classic Tamil Brahmin–style dish is rich, flavorful, mildly tangy, and perfectly balanced with the natural bitterness of pavakkai. The combination of roasted spices, coconut, tamarind, and dal creates a comforting, aromatic gravy that pairs beautifully with hot rice, ghee, and simple vegetable poriyal. Pavakkai Pitlai is a wholesome, protein‑rich, and authentic South Indian recipe ideal for everyday meals.

What is Pavakkai Pitlai?

Pavakkai Pitlai is a South Indian kuzhambu made with bitter gourd, toor dal, chickpeas, tamarind, and a freshly ground coconut‑based masala.

How do I reduce bitterness in pavakkai?

Boiling bitter gourd with turmeric and salt, then squeezing out the water, helps reduce bitterness without losing flavor.

Can I skip chickpeas in pitlai?

Chickpeas add texture and authenticity, but you can replace them with moong dal or skip them if needed.

Why is my pitlai too thick?

Pitlai naturally thickens as it cools. Add a little hot water while simmering to adjust consistency.

Is pitlai the same as sambar?

Pitlai is similar to sambar but thicker, richer, and made with a special roasted coconut masala instead of regular sambar powder alone.

Can I make pitlai without coconut?

Coconut is essential for the traditional flavor, but you can reduce the quantity if you prefer a lighter version.

Which oil is best for pavakkai pitlai?

Coconut oil enhances aroma and gives the dish an authentic South Indian taste.

If you are interested in some tasty South Indian kuzhambu varieties in TMF, Kuzhambu varieties  with tamarind Kuzhambu varieties without tamarind  sambar powder recipe Pavakkai gojju

Other Sambar varieties in TMF

Pakarkaai Pitlai | Pavakkai (Bitter Gourd) Pitlai

Pakarkaai Pitlai (Bitter gourd pitlai) is traditional South Indian rice accompaniment prepared with pavakkai, tamaring extract, toor dal and freshly ground spice mixture

5 from 1 vote

Print Pin Comment

Course: Kuzhambu

Cuisine: Indian

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Author: Vidya Srinivasan

Ingredients

• Bitter gourd - 1
• Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
• Toor Dal - 1/2 cup
• Chickpea/Channa - 1/3 cup Soak Channa overnight/ in hot water for 4 hours
• sambar powder - 1/2 tbsp
• Curry Leaves - Few
• Coriander leaves -few
• Tamarind - small Lemon size
• Jaggery - 2 tbsp
• Asofedtida - generous pinch
• Salt - as needed

For Grinding:

• Grated Coconut - 1/4 cup tightly pressed
• Red Chillies - 2 Adjust according to your spice level
• Coriander Seeds - 1 tbsp
• Channa dal - 1/2 tbsp

To temper:

• Coconut Oil - 1 tbsp
• Mustard Seeds - 1/2 tsp
• Fenugreek - 1/8 tsp

Instructions

• Firstly soak channa dal overnight
• Soak toor dal for 1 hour in hot water
• Pressure cook chickpea and toor dal in two cooker separators for 3-4 whistles
• Parallelly pressure cook bitter gourd with a pinch of salt and turmeric powder for 2 whistles
• Soak the tamarind in hot water and extract the pulp
• Dry roast red chillies, coriander seeds, and channa dal till they turn aromatic and golden brown turn off the stove
• Add coconut and mix well. Let everything comes to room temperature ground with little water
• Add oil to the pan, when the oil is hot add mustard seed and fenugreek. let it splutter
• Squeeze the bitter gourd and save the water aside add the cooked bitter gourd and saute for 3-4 mins or until the bitter gourd turns brown
• Add tamarind extract, Sambar powder, hing, a pinch of turmeric powder, and salt and allow the kuzhambu to boil for 15 minutes or till the raw smell goes off the tamarind
• Furthermore, add the ground paste and little mixie water and boil for 5 minutes
• Add the cooked toor dal and channa, cook for another 5 mins, mix well in between
• Finally add hing, jaggery, and coriander leaves; cook for 5 minutes, turn off the stove

Video

Subscribe to my YouTube channelCheck out Traditionally Modern Food!

Notes

1. Bitter gourd can be cooked in the pan instead of pressure cooking. you can also microwave bitter gourd
2. Curry powder can be ground with coconut and made into a paste instead of making fresh paste for pitalai
3. Channa and toor dal can also be cooked together
4. Recently I started cooking this in the instant pot. Cook toor dal and channa together in manual mode, high temperature for 25 minutes. After the pressure releases naturally follow all other steps in sauté mode
5.  Adjust the chickpea according to your taste
6. Kala channa can be used instead of chickpea
7. Adjust the water according to your desired consistency

Tried this recipe?Mention @traditionallymodernfood or tag #traditionallymodernfood!

Ingredients:

Bitter gourd – 1

Turmeric powder – 1/4 tsp

Toor Dal – 1/2 cup

Chickpea/Channa – 1/3 cup (Soak Channa overnight/ in hot water for 4 hours)

sambar powder – 1/2 tbsp

Curry Leaves – Few

Coriander leaves -a few

Tamarind – small Lemon size

Jaggery – 2 tbsp

Asofedtida – generous pinch

Salt – as needed

For Grinding:

Grated Coconut – 1/4 cup, tightly pressed

Red Chillies – 2 ( Adjust according to your spice level)

Coriander Seeds – 1 tbsp

Channa dal – 1/2 tbsp

To temper:

Coconut Oil – 1 tbsp

Mustard Seeds – 1/2 tsp

Fenugreek – 1/8 tsp

How to make pavakkai pitlai with step-by-step pictures:

• First, soak channa dal overnight 

• Soak toor dal for 1 hour in hot water

• Pressure cook chickpea and toor dal in two cooker separators for 3-4 whistles
• Parallelly, pressure cook bitter gourd with a pinch of salt and turmeric powder  for 2 whistles

• Soak the tamarind in hot water and extract the pulp
• Dry roast red chillies, coriander seeds, and channa dal till they turn aromatic and golden brown turn off the stove 

• Add coconut and mix well. Let everything come to room temperature, ground with a little water

• Add oil to the pan, when the oil is hot add mustard seed and fenugreek. let it splutter

• Squeeze the bitter gourd and save the water aside. Add the cooked bitter gourd and saute for 3-4 mins or until the bitter gourd turns brown

• Add tamarind extract, Sambar powder, hing, a pinch of turmeric powder, and salt, and allow the kuzhambu to boil for 15 minutes or till the raw smell goes off the tamarind

• Furthermore, add the ground paste and little mixie water and boil for 5 minutes

• Add the cooked toor dal and channa, cook for another 5 mins, and mix well in between

• Finally, add hing, jaggery, and coriander leaves; cook for 5 minutes, and turn off the stove