Okra sambar(Bendekai Sambar/vendekai sambar)

Okra or lady's finger or bendekai or Vendekai sambar is usually found in south India. I'm not sure if it is ever served at breakfast or evening tiffin (usually other sambar made of drumstick, pumpkin, radish etc. are served, never seen this one). I've always enjoyed this along with rice for lunch. Its fantastic to have a south Indian meal with okra sambar. Here goes the recipe...

Ingredients:
Okra/lady's finger - 1/4 kilo
Lentils( toor dal) - 1/2 cup
tomatoes - 2 nos
small onions - 1/2 cup
ginger- garlic paste - 1/2 tsp
chilly powder - 2 tbsp
coriander powder - 1 tbsp
jeera powder - 1/2 tsp
turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
asafoetida - 1/4 tsp
cumin seeds - 1/4 tsp
green chillies - 2 nos
tamarind paste - 1/2 tsp
oil - 4 tbsp
salt for taste

For seasoning:
oil - 1 tbsp
Mustard seeds - 1/4 tsp
curry leaves - 1 stalk
dry red chillies - 2 nos

Method:
Pressure cook dal along with tomato and keep aside. In a wok heat oil, add asafoetida powder, cumin seeds, small onions and stir fry until onions turn golden brown, now add ginger- garlic paste and green chillies and stir fry for a min. Add all the powders in this same order turmeric powder, chilly powder stir well , continue to add jeera powder and coriander powder. Add okra (chopped into 1/2 inch pieces) and saute for a while. Add the cooked dal and tomato mixture, add salt and cover and cook. When its almost done add the tamarind paste (even tamarind pulp can be used). Turn of the flame. Finally season with mustard seeds, curry leaves and dry red chillies. Garnish with coriander leaves if u prefer

Note:
If u have sambar powder, u can add that instead of all these powdered spices like chilly, turmeric etc. . Just remember that you wash, wipe with clean cloth and then chop the okra into 1/2 inch pieces. It should be dry and not moist (if moist the slime will be there). For Sambar recipe click here