Vendakkai Puli Kulambu Without Coconut

I wanted to try vathal kuzhambu with okra for a long time. I made it for today's lunch and i loved it.

INGREDIENTS 

• Okra / lady's finger / vendakkai - 5 nos (Chop into round thin slices)
• Tamarind - Medium gooseberry size
• **Sambar powder -  2 tsp
• Salt - as needed
• Turmeric powder - 2 pinches
• Jaggery - a small piece

To temper :

• Cooking oil - 2 tbsp
• Methi seeds / Fenugreek seeds - 1/4 tsp
• Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
• Jeera- 1/2 tsp
• Urad dal - 1/2 tsp
• Toor dal - 1/2 tsp
• Small onions - 2 nos (finely chopped)
• Garlic cloves - 4 nos (-do-)
• Curry leaves - few (-do-)

METHOD :

• Soak tamarind in warm water for 20 mins and take the extract. Add salt , sambhar powder and turmeric powder.set aside.
• Now in a kadai , heat oil and add the tempering items in the same order.Saute for a while.Now add the chopped lady's finger pieces and saute well.
• Now add the tamarind extract and allow it to boil till okra gets cooked. Add a small piece of jaggery.
• Switch off the flame.Transfer to a bowl and add a tsp of gingely oil .Cover it and serve after 30 mins.This gives a special flavor for the gravy.

Mix with plain rice & enjoy with sutta appalam :)
** For sambar powder recipe, please click for homemade recipe. U can use ur home made or store bought powder too.There will be no change in taste i guess..