Vendakkai Kara Kuzhambu / Kulambu - Ladies Finger in Tamarind Curry

Ingredients

• 500 grams ladies finger
• 1 teaspoon sesame – gingely oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup fresh shredded coconut
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 teaspoon coriander seeds
• 1/4 teaspoon fenugreek seeds (vendayam)
• 1 teaspoon sesame – gingely oil
• 1/4 teaspoon mustard seeds
• 2 sprigs curry leaves
• 3 dried red chillies
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 ripe tomatoes, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 2 teaspoon sambar powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 4 tablespoon tamarind paste

Instructions

1. 1

   Heat oil in a pan and add in the chopped ladies finger and salt. Cook until evenly browned and its not slimy anymore. Set aside.

2. 2

   Dry roast all the ingredients listed under “masala” together except coconut. Dry roast on a low flame until the seeds slowly start to brown and the aroma wafts in the kitchen. Remove and set aside to cool. In the same pan, add in the fresh shredded coconut. fry for a couple of minutes till its completely dry. Grind the roasted masala with 1/2 a cup of water to a smooth paste. Set aside.

3. 3

   Heat oil in a pan and add in a teaspoon of sesame oil. When the oil is hot, add in the mustard seeds, curry leaves and the dried red chillies. Let the mustard seeds splutter. Add in the onions and fry for a minute. Add in the chopped tomatoes (preferably country-naati tomatoes), turmeric powder, salt and sambar powder. Fry for a minute more.

4. 4

   Add in the ground masala and the tamarind paste.

5. 5

   Add in a cup of hot water and the fried ladies finger. Simmer for 5 minutes.

6. 6

   Remove from heat and serve hot with rice.