Vendakkai Puli Kuzhambu | Okra in Tamarind Gravy (VIDEO)
Hyderabadi Mutton Biryani | Mutton Dum Biryani (VIDEO)
April 7, 2021
Aloo Tuk | Crispy Potato Fry (VIDEO)
April 21, 2021
Ladies Finger/Okra is Vendakkai in Tamil. We make different recipes using Ladies finger-like stir fry, sambar, rice, tangy gravy (Puli Kuzhambu) and so on. Puli Kuzhambu is a tangy thick gravy that goes well with white rice, dosa or idly. I make this gravy very often and store them for 2 to 3 days. This gravy tastes great on the 2nd or 3rd day. We also like ladies finger rice which is very easy to make and also a healthy lunch box option for kids.
I prefer shallots but if you don’t have small onions then replace them with big ones. Using gingelly oil gives good flavour and taste if not go for any cooking oil.
If you have any interesting recipe please write to us.
Here is the step by step process for Vendakkai Puli Kuzhambu:
Cut ladies finger into one-inch pieces. Take a pan, add 3 tbsp oil, 
add chopped ladies finger, salt to taste and saute for 6 to 7 minutes.
Once ladies finger is 70 % cooked, now remove it from heat and keep it aside.
Now take the same pan, add 4 tbsp oil, add 1 cup shallots, 4 to 5 garlic cloves,
2 small pieces of ginger and saute for few minutes.
Then add 1 tbsp coriander seeds, 2 tomatoes and cook for 2 to 3 minutes.
Now add ¼ cup grated coconut and mix along with onion and tomato.
Then allow the mixture to cool down completely and make a smooth paste.
In the same pan, add 5 tbsp oil, 1 tsp mustard seeds,
1 tsp urad dal, ¼ tsp fenugreek seeds and allow it to temper.
Now add the ground paste along with 2 cups of water and mix well.
Add a handful of curry leaves,
salt to taste, 1 ½ tbsp chilli powder, 1 tsp coriander powder, ½ tsp turmeric, 1 tsp sambar powder and mix everything well.
Now add 1 cup tamarind water and give it a mix. Add 5 tbsp oil but it is completely optional. Allow the curry to cook for 4 to 5 minutes to remove the raw smell.
Then add the cooked ladies finger and cover the pan and cook for 8 to 10 minutes.
Adjust the thickness according to your preference.
Serve with rice, dosa or idly.
Ladies Finger cooked along with shallots, tomato, coconut, basic Indian spices, Tamarind water to make a thick gravy which goes excellent with white rice, dosa or idly.
Ingredients
- Okra/Ladies Finger - 250 gms
- Shallots - 1 cup
- Tomato - 2 numbers (roughly chopped)
- Garlic - 4 to 5 cloves
- Ginger - 2 small pieces
- Grated Coconut - 1/4 cup
- Mustard Seeds - 1 tsp
- Urad Dal - 1 tsp
- Fenugreek Seeds - 1/4 tsp
- Curry Leaves - a handful
- Chilli Powder - 1 1/2 tbsp
- Coriander Powder - 1 tsp
- Turmeric - 1/2 tsp
- Sambar Powder - 1 tsp
- Tamarind Water - 1 cup
- Salt to taste
- Oil
Method
- Cut ladies finger into one-inch pieces.
- Take a pan, add 3 tbsp oil, add chopped ladies finger, salt to taste and saute for 6 to 7 minutes.
- Once ladies finger is 70 % cooked, now remove it from heat and keep it aside.
- Now take the same pan, add 4 tbsp oil, add 1 cup shallots, 4 to 5 garlic cloves, 2 small pieces of ginger and saute for few minutes.
- Then add 1 tbsp coriander seeds, 2 tomatoes and cook for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Now add ¼ cup grated coconut and mix along with onion and tomato.
- Then allow the mixture to cool down completely and make a smooth paste.
- In the same pan, add 5 tbsp oil, 1 tsp mustard seeds, 1 tsp urad dal, ¼ tsp fenugreek seeds and allow it to temper.
- Now add the ground paste along with 2 cups of water and mix well.
- Add a handful of curry leaves, salt to taste, 1 ½ tbsp chilli powder, 1 tsp coriander powder, ½ tsp turmeric, 1 tsp sambar powder and mix everything well.
- Now add 1 cup tamarind water and give it a mix.
- Allow the curry to cook for 4 to 5 minutes to remove the raw smell.
- Then add the cooked ladies finger and cover the pan and cook for 8 to 10 minutes.
- Adjust the thickness according to your preference.
- Serve with rice, dosa or idly.
Notes
1. Use gingelly oil for better taste and flavour.
2. Saute ladies finger before adding them in the gravy to avoid sticky consistency.
3. Do not cut ladies finger into very small pices. Cut them into 1 inch size.
4. If you don't have shallots then replace them with big onions.
