Vendakka khichdi (Okra in curd)

This is an absolute favourite of my husband. I can serve just this one dish and rice and still ensure that he is happy..

For myself, I prefer bitter gourd / pavakka made similarly.

Lady's finger/okra - 1/2 kg (washed, cut round into 1/2 inch-long pieces)

Take
chilli powder - 1/2 tsp
turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
Salt to taste

Mix these together and coat the okra well. Leave for 5 minutes so that the okra absorbs the flavours.

Shallow fry in about 1 tbsp oil till slightly brown and keep aside. There will still be oil left over for tempering.Beat a cup of curd and add the fried okra to it.
Temper with mustard seeds, curry leaves and chopped green chillies .

Great with rice and pickles.

If okra is substituted with bitter gourd or paavakka, this dish becomes Paavakka khichdi, which is an item we often make for Vishu or Onam.

Potluck Meme - Spicy Okra (Bhindi masala)

A few days back I bought these really tender, tiny fresh okras and I couldn't wait to cook them. Okra is a favourite vegetable in our family, but there are many who do not like them because they can turn a bit slimy if not prepared properly.

This may take a bit of time, but the result is worth the effort.

Since the okras I got were small, I washed them, wiped them with a towel and cut off their ends and slit them about 3/4 their length.

With the long okras, I usually cut them into three pieces.

For 300 grams of okra/bhindis,

Make a paste with :
coriander powder - 2 tsp
red chilli powder -1 tsp
turmeric pwder - 1/4 tsp
Salt to taste
Oil - 1 tsp

marinate the okras in the paste, I put a bit of the paste into the slits too.

In a non-stick pan, add 1 tsp oil and shallow-fry the okras till the okras darken. Keep aside.

Take
Cumin seeds -1 tsp
Onion - 1 sliced lengthwise
tomato - 1 big Blanched, peeled and chopped(can use tomato puree also)
Garam masala powder - 1 tsp
Coriander leaves - 1 bunch chopped fine

Take a pan, heat 1 tbsp oil, (or less), add the cumin seeda, once they splutter, add the onions, fry till golden brown then add the tomato,add the garam masala and wait till it boils. Once the oil comes on top, add the okras and wait till the gravy starts sticking to the okras. Check the salt and add more if needed .Switch off the stove and garnish with coriander leaves.