Vendakka Puli/ Okra in Tamarind and Coconut Gravy

Ingredients:

15 okra/ vendakka

1 medium onion, finely chopped

1 medium tomato, finely chopped

a small lemon sized tamarind

1/2 tsp turmeric powder

1/2 cup grated coconut

1 tbsp coriander powder

5 dry red chillies

1 tsp mustard seeds

1 tsp fenugreek seeds

3 shallots, finely chopped

2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

few curry leaves

salt

oil

Preparation:

1. Chop the okra/ vendakka into 1/2 inch pieces and keep it aside.
2. Soak tamarind in 1/2 cup hot water. Squeeze out the extract and keep it aside.
3. Grind grated coconut, coriander powder and dry red chillies to a fine paste.
4. Heat little oil in a pan and fry the chopped vendakka for 5 minutes or until the stickiness disappears.
5. Add chopped onion and tomato and saute well till soft.
6. Then add the tamarind extract, turmeric powder and 1 cup water and cook until the vendakka/ okra is cooked. 
7. Add ground coconut mixture and salt and boil it for about 5 minutes. 
8. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a pan and splutter mustard seeds and fenugreek seeds.
9. Add the chopped garlic and shallots and fry till golden brown and add curry leaves.
10. Pour this seasoning over the prepared curry, mix well and serve with rice.... 

Recipe adapted from here