Vendakka Mappas / Okra Mappas

Ingredients:

10-12 vendakka / okra / ladies finger

1 small onion, chopped

1 1/2 tsp ginger, finely chopped

2-3 green chillies, chopped

1 small tomato, finely chopped

1/4 tsp turmeric powder

2 tsp coriander powder

1 tsp chilli powder

1/2 tsp garam masala

a pinch of pepper powder

1 cup thin coconut milk

3-4 tbsp thick coconut milk

salt to taste

2 dry red chillies

1 sprig curry leaves

1/2 tsp mustard seeds

2 tbsp oil

Preparation:

1. Wash and cut okra into 1 1/2" pieces and keep it aside.
2. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a pan at medium flame and add chopped onion and saute until it turns light brown.
3. Add chopped ginger and green chillies and saute for a minute.
4. Add okra pieces into this and cook stirring for about 4-5 minutes.
5. Add chopped tomato and saute well for 1-2 minutes.
6. Reduce the flame to low and add turmeric powder, coriander powder, chilli powder and salt and saute for a minute.
7. Add thin coconut milk into this and bring to a boil at medium flame. Then cook it covered at medium-low flame for 4-5 minutes.
8. Add thick coconut milk to this and mix well. Add garam masala and a pinch of pepper powder and mix well. Adjust the salt and switch off the flame.
9. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a small pan and splutter mustard seeds and fry dry red chillies and curry leaves.
10. Pour this over the curry and mix well. Serve hot ...