Bendekai Gojju | Okra in tangy sauce | Side dishes for Rice and Flatbread
Benedekayi Gojju is a traditional recipe from Mysore region of Karnataka, referring to sautéed okra in a tangy, spicy sauce. Served with hot rice, curd rice or chapatis.
Equipment
- Thick Bottomed Pan
- Knife and Cutting Board
Ingredients
- 100 grams Okra Lady's Finger / Bendekayi
- 1.5 TBSP Oil pref groundnut oil or sesame oil
- 2 TBSP Tamarind pulp if you don't have pulp, soak 1 medium lemon sized tamarind in 1 cup hot water for 20 mins and extract the pulp
- Rasam Powder- 1 TBSP if you dont have, substitute with Red Chilli powder, but the former yields better results
- 1 TBSP Coriander powder
- 1 tsp Kashmiri Red chilli powder
- 2 tsp Jaggery highly recommended
- 1/2 tsp Turmeric
- 1 tsp Salt (or to taste)
- 1 tsp Mustard seeds
- 1 sprig Curry leaves
Instructions
- Wash and pat dry the ladies finger. Trim the edges and cut off the crown. With careful inspection, cut the vegetable into 1/2 inch thick roundels.
- For 100 gm of veggies, you would end up with approx 3/4 cup of chopped stuff.
- Tip : Dont cut too thin, else the veggies would dissolve into a gooey mass.
- In a deep bottomed pan, heat oil. Splutter mustard seeds and curry leaves.
- Add turmeric and the chopped lady's finger. Saute a bit till the veggies are coated with oil.
- Sprinkle salt and cook WITHOUT COVERING for 8- 10 mins. Keep sautéing from time to time.
- Meanwhile soak tamarind in warm water (about 1 cup) and extract the pulp.
- Alternatively, if you are using readymade tamarind pulp, dissolve in a cup of warm water.
- Once the veggies are cooked (but not mushy), remove to a plate .
- To the same pan, add the Rasam powder, jaggery and tamarind pulp (with the water).
- Cover and cook for another 2 - 3 mins till it thickens. Add the coriander powder , Kashmiri Red chilli powder and let it simmer till the sauce gets a glossy thickness.
- Now add the sauteed okra and let it simmer for 2-3 mins on medium flame.
- Remove from fire once it reaches a thickish mass (you don't want the gravy drying up too much).
- Serve with hot rice, chapati or even curd rice for a yummy meal :)
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