Vendakkai Mandi

Vendakkai Mandi

Vendakkai Mandi

Veg Vegan

Vendakkai Mandi is a tangy and spicy okra curry made with tamarind, spices, and coconut. It's a popular dish in Tamil Brahmin cuisine, often served with rice.

Cuisines

Tamil Brahmin

Best for

Lunch Dinner

Recipe

Prep: 15 min Cook: 25 min Total: 40 min 2-3 servings

Ingredients

Okra 200 grams Okra
Rice Water 1 cup Rice Water , from rinsing rice
Tamarind 1 tablespoon Tamarind , pulp
coconut oil 2 tablespoons Coconut oil
Mustard Seed 1 teaspoon Mustard Seed
urad dal 1 teaspoon Urad dal
chana dal 1 teaspoon Chana dal
asafoetida 1 pinch Asafoetida
Red Chili 2 Red Chili , dried
Curry Leaf 1 sprig Curry Leaf
sambar powder 1 teaspoon Sambar powder
turmeric powder 0.5 teaspoon Turmeric powder
salt Salt , to taste

Instructions

  1. 1 Wash the okra thoroughly and pat dry with a clean cloth to remove moisture.
  2. 2 Cut the okra into 1-inch pieces and set aside.
  3. 3 Heat coconut oil in a pan over medium heat.
  4. 4 Add mustard seeds and let them splutter.
  5. 5 Add urad dal, chana dal, and a pinch of asafoetida. Sauté until the dals turn golden brown.
  6. 6 Add dried red chilies and curry leaves, and sauté for a few seconds.
  7. 7 Add the chopped okra and sauté for 5-7 minutes until it is cooked and no longer sticky.
  8. 8 Add turmeric powder, sambar powder, and salt. Mix well.
  9. 9 Pour in the rice water and tamarind pulp. Stir to combine.
  10. 10 Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes until the raw smell of tamarind disappears and the flavors meld together.
  11. 11 Serve hot with steamed rice.

Tips

Ensure the okra is dry before cooking to prevent it from becoming slimy.