Okra (ladies finger) Mezhukkupuratti(upperi)/ Bindi stirfry

Another favourite from "God's own Country". During a casual conversation over the phone with my mum the same old question came up. Mum- "what you cooking today?"  Me- "not sure. Thinking of cooking some veggies" and had a quick look inside the fridge. "Prav brought a bowl of okras for a pound yesterday. Have to cook it today otherwise it will go to the bin". Mum - I make mezhukupuratti couple of days ago with a recipe slightly different from our usual one" and she went on giving me the recipe.
NB: All this conversations was in Malayalam. I am not good at tying monglish. excuse me for this.

Ingredients:

Okra (ladies finger, Vendakka)- 3 cups sliced (wash okras and cut "head and tail" and discard them. Thinly slice the remaining part).
Onions- 1 big (thinly sliced)
Coconut oil- 3 tablespoon
Turmeric powder- 1/2 teaspoon
Curry leaves- as required

To Cursh:

Garlic- 3 cloves

Dry chillies- 4 (or according to your heat tolerance)

Shallots (small onions)- 6

Preparation:

 

Crush all ingredients listed under "to Crush" using your preferred method. I used a pestle and mortar myself but the small jar of mixie is adequate and long you use the pulse mode just for few seconds. ( use can also use store brought crushed chillies).

 

Heat oil in a non-stick pan and add the crushed ingredients together with some curry leaves and sauté well. Add sliced okra and onions once a nice aroma come out the shallots and garlic. Add salt and turmeric and mix everything very well. Cover and cook. After 10 minutes open the lid and stir continually until the okras become crispy. 

 

 

 

 

Enjoy with a bowl of rice.