Vendakkai Poriyal

Vendakkai poriyal is one of my favourite from mom. This is her recipe and this recipe got a secret ingredient. i will reveal the secret in the ingredients list. before that let me ramble on these ladies fingers. Ladies Finger always remind me of my mom's fingers. i would say her fingers is the most beautifull one's, Thank God! she passed me 70% of it.

My mom and my grandmom prepares this poriyal for me exactly before and on the day of my mathematics exams. it is told that, on having ladies finger, you can score good marks in maths. Yes iam poor in the maths subject. but i managed to score good marks, all bcoz of Vendakaai!!!

We went on a trip to Mysore & Ooty last week. Though Climate was not pleasing, we enjoyed the offseason with less crowd. I bought lots of vegetables from Ooty - Farmer's Market for very low prices. I bought Kg of these ladies fingers for Rs.8. They were so fresh and tender. whereas in chennai, i have to shed Rs. 20 for a Kilo. to get fresh ladies finger from my keera kaara amma. she brings it only on demand that too.

Coming to the Ingredients: (here i reveal the secret ingredient)

1. Ladies Finger / Okra / Vendakaai - 1 Kg.
2. Red Onion - 1
3. Red Chilli Powder / Sambhar Powder - 3 tsp's
4. Corn Flour - 2 tsp's ( its secret!!)

For Tempering / Thalippu:

1. Oil - 2 tbsp's
2. Mustard - 1 tsp
3. Split Urad Dal - 1 tsp
4. Curry Leaves - 1 sprig

Method:

Trim the head an tails of Ladies finger and slice the Ladies Finger very Finely.

Heat Oil in a Thick Bottomed Pan / Kadaai. add mustard and let it pop. add split urad dal and curry leaves. saute it.

Add chopped Red Onion to the Pan and fry it along. add salt and red chilli powder and saute it.

Now add the finely chopped Okra/ Ladies finger and fry it. it first turns into dark green colour and then it becomes sticky. when it becomes sticky add corn flour or Rice flour to the ladies finger and saute them. fry it for atleast 4-5 mins in slow flame, untill the ladies finger becomes less sticky and cooked.

serve with hot rice with Ghee or with sambhar rice.

okay what does the corn flour do, it helps in preventing the sticky and also it gives its share of taste. You can also add rice flour, it also does the same job and i love the rice flour version than the corn flour version.

Hope you will try and enjoy!!