Bendekayi palya / masala bhindi /lady's finger

Bendekayi or lady's finger aka okra is one of my favorite vegetables. Some people do not like this vegetable because of the sliminess. Deep frying or shallow frying the okra on high flame reduces sliminess. 

Ingredients:

Lady's fingers/okra : 500 gms

Onion: 2 medium

Tomato: 1 big

Ginger: 1 inch

Garlic: 5-6 cloves

Green chillies: 5-6

Cumin seeds:1 tsp

Coriander powder: 1 tsp

Cumin powder: 1/2 tsp

Garam masala: 1/4 tsp

Turmeric powder: 1/4 tsp

Dry mango powder: 1/2 tsp

Oil: 2 tbsp +1 tbsp for shallow frying okra.

Salt to taste

Method:

1. Wash and clean the okra and dry them completely, Cut them into small pieces.

2. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a wok and shallow fry the okra on high flame until the sliminess is gone. Takes about 8-10 minutes. Remove and keep it aside.

3. Chop garlic, ginger and green chillies finely and chop onion roughly.

4. Heat 2 tbsp oil in a pan and add cumin seeds and fry for 30 seconds.

5. Add garlic and green chillies and sauté for a while then add ginger and onion and sauté until the onions turn translucent.

6. Add chopped tomatoes, turmeric and salt and mix well and let it cook until the tomatoes are soft.

7. Next add cumin powder, coriander powder, garam masala powder and sauté until all the masalas are blended.

8. Add fried okra and mix well. 

9. Add dry mango powder and sauté  on high flame for another 2-3 minutes and turn off.

10. Garnish with coriander leaves and serve hot with roti/chapathi or any bread of your choice.