Karela... anyone?

[mahas]

Hello!

Has anybody ever cooked with Indian Karela (aka bitter melon or bitter gourd). I always like to try out new vegetables, but the karelas seem trickier than most.
Any recipe ideas would be great.

[AlkieGourmand]

I have. To be honest, I don't like them very much, but I don't hate them either. Ample amounts of salt definitely makes them taste much better. Fuchsia Dunlop has a simple recipe where you just dry fry sliced bitter melon in a wok until cooked, and then add peanut oil and salt for flavoring. I like this better with sesame oil.

[Harters]

Never cooked with it, but a restaurant not too far away has it in a karahi lamb dish. I think it's delicious - adding not really bitterness but something of an intriguing flavour.

[bulldog]

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/510231

[mahas]

Thank you! Looks like it's going to be a tough one to love.