Okra or Ladies Finger or Ventaikkai_Pulli kulambu

Ingredients:
Vendakkai (Okra) - around 12 Cut into very small pieces
Onion - 1 big chopped fine
Tomato - 1 chopped fine
Tamarind - lime size soak in hot water and extract thick pulp
Garlic(optional) - 4 pods
Fenugreek seeds - 1 tsp
Curry leaves - few
Chopped coriander leaves - 2 tbsp
Chilli powder - 1 tbsp
coriander powder - 1 tbsp
Jeera powder - 1/2 tbsp (optional)
Turmeric powder - one pinch
Coconut - 1/2 cup grated( grind to a smooth paste) or coconut powder - 3 tbsp
Salt - to taste
Oil - 2 tbsp
Gingelly oil - 1 tbsp

Method:
* In a pan heat oil and add okra, fry it for 1o min and keep it aside.
* Heat oil in the same pan and add fenugreek seeds, once it golden color add onions...fry till light brown next add tomatoes ...mash and fry till they are pulpy...
* Then add garlic( optional) and saute for 3 or 4 minutes and add all the powders( can substitute with your home made powder)....mix well
* Now add the tamraind pulp...add a cup of water...reduce flame and cook for 10 minutes...next add fried okra. close with lid and allow cook for 7 more min.
* Now add coconut paste and salt...let it all cook together for an other 6 to 7 minutes....
* just before removing can add a tbsp of gingelly oil (must)....goes well with rice.


MythiliThiyagu