Bendakaya Pulusu / Okra Lady fingers

Bendakaya Pulusu / Okra Recipes 

Ladies Finger or bendakaya also known as okra in English and bhindi in Hindi is a versatile vegetable that can be used in various forms and in variety of dishes. I have already posted basic okra fry with onion, bhindi tomato masala and bhindi masala curry in mustard gravy. They are also told to be very healthy given the fact that they are rich in calcium, potassium folic acid, Vitamin B and Vitamin C. Ladies fingers are a low calorie veggie and contain high amount of fibre. Today´s dish is an Andhra famous dish that is bendakaya pulusu.

This is a kind of stew where the okra are cooked in spicy tamarind sauce with loads of onion and garlic. This dish reminds me of sambar but the masalas used here differ from that of the sambar masala. Very few spices are used here but the taste of the bhindi pulusu is very unique. This okra pulusu is perfect for a rainy or a winter day when we feel very chilled and we crave for something tangy and spicy.

The okras cooked in tamarind sauce are very tasty that you will not even ask for a side dish. This has got a unique which you might not get from any other veggie. Just a papad and the bendakaya pulusu is all we ask for, with hot steamed rice. This is a meal by itself and can be packed for lunch as well. Make it spicy to get the extra punch from the pulusu or stew.   

Preparation

Chop bendakaya into bite sized pieces. Some people chop them into the size of a finger. But I like them to chop into bite sized pieces as it will be easy for kids to eat. Keep the chopped bhindi aside. Heat oil in a vessel.

Add mustard, cumin and methi seeds.

When they splutter, add peeled garlic.

Cook until you see a light golden colour on the garlic. Now put in the sliced onion and green chillies.

Sauté for a minute and add hing. Give a nice mix and sauté for another 2-3 minutes.

Now drop the chopped bendakaya pieces and turmeric.

Cook for a minute and add red chillies. You can add red chillies along with onions, but I forgot. So added at a later stage.

Cook for 4-5 minutes and add the cumin powder, coriander powder, chilli powder and salt.

Mix well and sauté for 2 minutes. Now add the tamarind juice, sugar and water. Mix well.

Cover with a lid and cook until it comes to a boil.

At this stage, you will be able to see oil floating on the top of the pulusu.

Add coriander and check for seasoning.

Add more salt or chilli powder according to your taste buds. This bendakaya pulusu tastes good even if it is thin in consistency. But if you prefer a thicker consistency, then add a teaspoonful of rice flour or besan flour mixed with water. Adding besan flour or rice flour helps the pulusu to thicken in consistency. Serve hot with rice and you will have a satisfying meal. I served it with potato fry curry but it tastes good even with a papad.

Ingredients

Ladies Finger  250g

Oil  2 tbsp.
Mustard seeds 1/2 tsp
Cumin ( jeera ) seeds  1/2 tsp
Methi ( fenugreek ) seeds 1/4 tsp
Garlic  8-10 pods
Onion 1 big
Red chillies 2
Green chillies 1
Hing 1/4 tsp
Turmeric powder 1/2 tsp
Coriander powder 2tbsp
Cumin powder 1tbsp
Salt to taste
Chilli powder  1 tsp
Tamarind size of a small lemon
Sugar OR Jaggery  2tsp
Coriander leaves  fistful

Method

1. Wash the ladies finger and chop them into bite sized pieces and keep aside.
2. Heat oil in a pan and add mustard, cumin and methi seeds.
3. When they crackle, add garlic and sauté until you see a golden colour on the garlic pods.
4. Add the sliced onions, red chillies and slit green chillies.
5. Sauté for a minute and add hing.
6. Sauté for 2-3 minutes and drop the chopped bhindi and turmeric powder.
7. Mix well and add the coriander powder, cumin powder, chilli powder and salt.
8. Mix well and sauté for another 2 minutes.
9. Now pour the tamarind juice, sugar and water and cover with a lid.
10. Cook covered until it comes to a boil and you see oil floating on the top. The okra pieces also become tender by this time.
11. Add coriander leaves and check for seasoning.
12. If you want a thick pulusu, add rice flour or besan flour ( chick pea flour ) mixed with water to the stew when it is boiling. Mix well and cook for another minute and switch off the flame.
13. Serve hot with rice with a papad or any curry of your choice.

Notes

• You can substitute sugar with jaggery to make it more healthy.
• Make the stew or pulusu spicy to suit the tanginess of the tamarind.
• Adding little black pepper powder will enhance the flavour of the okra pulusu.
• Biting in the ladies finger cooked in spiced tamarind juice will satisfy your palate.
• Do not miss out on the coriander powder or cumin powders because they are the key factors in giving taste to the ladies finger pulusu.