Vendakkai Curry (okra)

Ingredients:

Ladies Finger/Okra	1/2 kg
Chilli powder	1/2 tsp
Coriander powder	1/2 tsp
Turmeric powder	a pinch
Salt	to taste
Asafoetida	a pinch
curd	1 tsp
Oil	1 tablespoon
Mustard seeds	1/2 tsp
Urad dhal	1/2 tsp
Curry leaves	a sprig

Procedure:
Step1:
Wash the ladies finger and cut them into 1 cm pieces

Step2:
Keep it open in a wide pan and allow it to dry for 10 minutes


Step3:
Heat 2 tsp of oil in a kadai and add mustard seeds, urad dhal and curry leaves


Step4:
Once the mustard seeds starts spluttering add the vegetable and cook covered for 5 minutes

Step5:
Now add curd,chilli powder, coriander powder, salt, turmeric powder, hing and the remaining oil and mix well

Step6:
Allow this to cook in open pan for around 15 minutes in medium-low flame.Do not stir at this point

Step7:
After 15 minutes mix it once and allow to cook for another 5 minutes


Notes:

1. Adding curd reduces the sticky nature of ladies finger.Drying the vegatable in air/under fan before frying also helps.
2. Never stir the curry often while it is cooking.The vegetable may not turn out crisp
3. More oil might be required if not using a non stick pan
4. Chopped onions can also be added. Fry the onions and then add ladies finger and cook the same way