Bitter Melon Tarkari

Ingredients

 * 4 cups bitter melon, cut in 1-in. lengths and quartered
 * 1 cup onion, finely diced
 * ½ cup green pepper, finely diced
 * ½ cup celery, finely diced
 * 5 dried red chilies
 * 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
 * 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
 * 1 teaspoon ginger, minced
 * 1 teaspoon turmeric
 * 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
 * 2 cups yogurt
 * ½ cup cooking oil
 * salt
 * 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro (for garnish)

Directions

 * 1) In a large pot of well-salted boiling water, blanch bitter melon for a few minutes and transfer to ice bath.
 * 2) Blanching in heavily salted water reduces the bitterness of bitter melon.
 * 3) In a non-stick sauce pan, heat oil and fry mustard seeds and red chilies until dark.
 * 4) Add onion, green pepper and celery and fry until light brown.
 * 5) Add turmeric, black pepper, garlic and ginger; mix for a minute or so.
 * 6) Add the blanched bitter melon and stir fry for five minutes.
 * 7) To the bitter melon mixture, add yogurt and salt; mix well to incorporate all ingredients.
 * 8) Cover and cook on medium heat for ten more minutes.
 * 9) Once a desired consistency of stew has been achieved, garnish with chopped cilantro and serve with steamed rice.