Vendakkai Puli Kuzhambu / Okra Tamarind Curry (with Coconut)

       This is a simple puli kuzhambu with coconut paste.One of my friend was asking me the recipe for puli kuzhambu with coconut and muttai kuzhambu...so i prepared puli kuzhambu with okra for Her and to share it on my space. With the same recipe instead of okra you can also use brinjal, drumstick, broad beans, Paruppu urandai or any vegetable of your choice and make this easy & yummy kuzhambu. This time i didn't stir fry the okra on stove top instead i bake it in oven..Oven Baked Vendakkai/Okra.This is very easy n simple job and i got this idea from one of my neighbor cum Friend. Once in a phone conversation she told me this and i thought yeah this is a very simple job if you have oven...The recipe as follows..

Ingredients

1. Vendakkai/Okra   1/2 lb
2. Pearl onion    8-10no.or big onion  1/2
3. Tomato   2 medium(chopped)
4. Garlic    1 full pod(peeled & chopped)
5. Tamarind     small lime size piece soaked in warm water.
6. Curry leaves     few
7. Turmeric powder    a pinch
8. Chilli Powder     1 and 1/2 tsp
9. Coriander Powder      2 tsp
10. Salt    as needed

To grind

1. Coconut      1/2 cup
2. Poppy seeds/Khas Khas    2 tsp(soaked in warm water for 10 min)
3. Dalia/Pottu kadalai    1tsp(optional)

To Temper

1. Oil + sesame oil     1/2 tbsp each + 2 tsp oil to fry okra
2. Mustard seeds      1/2 tsp
3. Fenugreek seeds/methi seeds    1/2 tsp or less
4. Cumin  seeds    1/2 tsp
5. Pepper corns    3-4 
6. Hing Powder     1/4 tsp

Method

• Grind shredded coconut,soaked poppy seeds and dalia in a blender with little water to a smooth paste and keep aside. 

• Heat 2 tsp oil in pan, and add cut okra pieces and stir fry in medium heat.

• In another pan, heat 1 tbsp oil in a wok and add all the tempering ingredients in the same order and when it splutter add onions and curry leaves fry for a minute then add garlic and stir fry for 1-2 minutes and then add tomatoes saute till mushy add all dry powders and saute for a minute. 

• Then add tamarind extract and allow to boil. 
• When it starts boiling add the grounded coconut paste and stir well. 

• Then add enough water(to ur desired consistency)and salt mix well and close it with a lid and allow the coconut gravy to boil for 5-10 minutes. 

• Now add the oven baked vendakkai/okras to the kuzhambu ,and cook for another 3-4 minutes. 
• Lastly add some chopped coriander leaves and turn off the stove. 

• Thats it....vendakkai puli kuzhambu  ready. serve with hot plain rice or idli/dosa.

Note: 
Pre heat oven to 350 degree F.
Clean and cut the both ends of the vendakkai and cut into small bite size pieces and transfer to a oven safe vessel/tray and bake it for 20-25 minutes and keep aside.

Stir frying or baking okra pieces is must and also it helps to remove sliminess of okra and gives crunchy and tasty okra.

For a healthy curry, you can skip coconut paste and add okra to the tamarind gravy and cook.

You can also make it a plain gravy without veggies.

Updated Pictures : 1/17/2014
Puli kuzhambu with stove top stir fried okra /