Bendakaya Teepi Kura --Sweet n Sour Okra

Okra is one of the very common vegetables in most Indian households. Sweet and sour okra is a flavor packed dish where tangy okra with a hint of sweetness will have you wanting for more. Contrary to the major belief that okra is gummy and slimy, the tamarind in this curry keeps the stickiness at bay. The subtle sweetness of the dish will please every child’s palate.

For Sweet n Sour Okra, crisp okra is cooked in tamarind and jaggery along with onions, chili powder, salt and turmeric. Unlike most curries where u start with seasoning, for this curry seasoning is added just before serving.


Ingredients:
2 lbs okra chopped into half inch circles
1 onion chopped
1 tsp chili powder (adjust to taste)
About 1 inch cube of jaggery
Walnut sized tamarind ball
½ tsp turmeric
Salt to taste

For Seasoning:
2 tsp oil
1 – 2 cloves of garlic mashed
1 tsp mustard
1 tsp cumin
2 tsp urad dal
1 red chili
Curry leaves

Soak tamarind and squeeze the pulp out with as little water as possible.

Mix all the above ingredients in a sauce pan and cook covered on medium heat.

Okra should be cooked through but should not loose shape. If there is more moisture even after the okra is cooked to desired tenderness, evaporate remaining water on high heat stirring gently making sure not to mush the okra.

Heat oil in a small pan, add mustard when it starts to splutter, add cumin and urad dal followed by mashed garlic, red chili and curry leaves.

When the urad dal turns into golden brown remove from stove and add the seasoning to cooked okra.

Make sure to add seasoning just before serving. It enhances the flavor of the dish to new heights.

Enjoy it with hot rice. Tastes great as a side to curd and rice.