Vendakkai Puli Kulambu a.k.a Okra Tamarind Curry

Ingredients :

• 1lb of okra(lady finger),cut into 1 inch pieces
• 10 small onions,chopped lengthwise
• 2 garlic pods,chopped lengthwise
• 2 green chilies,slit
• 1 large tomato,chopped
• 3 tbsp kulambu podi/curry powder(replace with 1.5tsp chili powder+1.5 tsp coriander powder+1/4 tsp jeera powder)
• 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
• 2 cups of tamarind pulp
• for tempering : mustard seeds,urad dal,jeera,curry leaves
• gingelly oil,salt.

Procedure :

 1. Heat 3 tbsp of gingelly oil in a kadai.Once the oil is hot,season with mustard seed,urad dal,jeera and curry leaves.

 2. Meanwhile soak lemon sized ball of tamarind in 2 cups of warm water for few mins.Extract the tamarind pulp and set it aside.

 3. Add small onions and garlic.Make sure it doesnt get burnt.Now add the cut okra. Cook until tender and most of the slime is gone.

   4. Add tomatoes and cook till they are soft.

5. Add the curry powder or replace with the ingredients given above.Cook until the raw smell is gone.

6. Now add tamarind pulp,salt and 1/4 cup of  water and stir everything together.

7. Let it come to a boil and the okra cooks completely.(about 10 to 15mins)

8. Once the curry reduces to desired consistency,remove from the heat.

9. Serve with hot rice,kootu,poriyal and papads.