Vendakkai Sambar (Ladyfinger sauted in tamarind gravy cooked with spice powders)

Vendekkai Sambar

This is a variety of  “Sambar” that does not have the ground coconut and spices in it so its pretty straightforward. There are two kinds of basic sambars that we make – the variety that has spices roasted and ground with coconut and the other variety that is spiced only with the sambar powder. This is a part of the latter and hence very easy to make. This sambar is excellent also as a side for Pongal, Idlis and the like. It`s also great with Dosa, adai etc.

INGREDIENTS:

8-10 ladysfinger.

1 1/2 cups of Tamarind Extract.

Salt

Turmeric

1 spoon of heaped Sambar Powder.

1/2 cup cooked Toor Dhal.

3/4 spoon of rice flour dissolved in 4 spoons of water.

Cilantro

Curry Leaves.

Hing.

Seasoning:

Mustard, Curry Leaves.

PREPARATION:

• Take the washed and cleaned Okras and chop off the tips and the top so you have slightly longer pieces. Set aside.
• Take a copper bottomed vessel and pour oil and season with mustard, curry leaves and hing. Immediately add the chopped pieces of okra and stir in well.
• Allow the ladysfinger pieces to saute well in the seasoning and when its done, add the prepared tamarind extract water.
• Add salt, hing, turmeric, sambar powder, cilantro and sir in well. Allow the gravy to boil and lose all the raw flavours and smells.
• After about 20 minutes, the gravy would have reduced and the spices would be well entrenched in the Okra pieces.
• Take the cooked toor dhal and slightly dilute with a little water and add to the reduced sambar gravy and stir in well.
• If you feel that the consistency is a little too watery, add the rice flour dissolved in the water to this and stir to see instant thickening.
• Allow to boil and immediately switch off the heat. Garnish with torn curry leaves and chopped cilantro.
• Serve with rice and Kovakkai Curry or Kathirikkai Podimas.