Vendakka mezhukkupuratti/ Stirfried Okra

Okra,Ladies finger,Vendakka,Bhendi..we call it by different names and use it in stirfrys, gravies, gumbo and grilling. When selecting Okra pick immature pods ,the older ones tend to be stringy and fibrous.If you can snap the tip of the pod easily then it is perfect for cooking with.

Ingredients :

1. Vendakka/orka/ladies finger - 2 lbs
2. Onion - 1 large diced
3. Green chillies - 5 slit
4. Vinegar - 1/4'Th tsp
5. Salt- to taste
6. Curry leaves - 1 spring
7. Oil - 4 tsp
8. mustard seeds - 1/4Th tsp

Method:

Wash , dry and cut the okra into smallish rings.
Heat oil in a nonstick pan and add in the mustard seeds.
When it splutters add all the remaining ingredients together and stir well.
Taste for salt and cover and cook in steam until the Okra is 3/4Th cooked.
Stir fry in the open pan until it is browned slightly.

TIP: Do not add water to Okra as it cooks , this will make it slimy.
Avoid the urge to stir often as this breaks the Okra up and it tends to get sticky .
A tip from one of my friends is to tad a TBSP of curd to the mixture instead of vinegar ,this also gets rid of the stickiness.