Lady's Finger Stir Fry / Vendakkai Poriyal - South Indian Style

Lady's finger / Okra / Vendakkai poriyal is easy to make south Indian accompaniment for rice with sambar, rasam or curd.  

Ingredients:

Ladies finger/ Vendakkai - ½ kg
Onion - 1(sliced)
Turmeric powder - a pinch
Sambar powder / Red chilli powder - 1 tsp
Curd - 1 tsp
Salt - to taste
Oil - 1 to 2 tbsp

For the seasoning:

Oil - 1 tsp
Mustard - ¾ tsp
Urad dal - ½ tsp
Curry leaves 1 sprig

Directions:

Wash the lady's finger and pat dry completely. Trim the edges and cut into medium thick roundels.

Heat oil in a pan; season it with mustard seeds, urad dhal, channa dhal and curry leaves.

Once it splutters; add onion and saute till the colour changes. Then add lady's finger, turmeric powder, sambar powder and salt.

Stir it for a while ; cover the pan with the lid and allow to cook in a medium flame ( You can also sprinkle water to prevent lady's finger sticking to the pan).

Uncover the pan; if you find sticknees in lady's finger, add a tsp of curd ( My Mother in laws Tip).

Keep stirring; once it is cooked and it becomes dry, add coconut.

Mix well and serve as a accompaniment for any veg gravies, Rasam or even with curd rice.

Note:

Adding curd is really helpful in preventing stickiness while cooking lady's finger.

Instead of sambar powder; you can also use green chillies for spiciness.