A wide array of mild, sometimes bitter, milky curries served for lunch to open up the palate for the oncoming spicier courses

A mild, milky curry of bottle gourd

Moog dal with bitter melon and bottle gourd

An easy shukto with green papaya

Light and midly bitter stew of summer vegetables

Bitter gourd and pumpkin stir-fry

A quick and simple recipe of batter-fried bitter gourd rings.