Okra Kuzhambu - Okra in tamarind coconut sauce. Tangy south Indian curry with Okra. Vegan gluten-free soy-free Recipe. Allergen Information: Free of dairy, egg, corn, soy, gluten, nut, yeast. grain. It has coconut. Serve 3 or more as a side, 2 as main.

Recipe Snapshot

  • Prep time: 15 minutes
  • Cook time: 30 minutes
  • Total time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 3
  • Category: Side
  • Cuisine: Indian

Ingredients

For the Okra:

  • 2 tsp oil
  • 12 to 14 okra (chopped to 1/2 inch pieces, about 2 cups chopped)

For the sauce:

  • 1 tsp oil
  • 1/4 tsp mustard seeds
  • 1/8 tsp fenugreek seeds
  • 1/4 tsp black peppercorns
  • 2 tsp split pigeon pea (or chana dal or split yellow pea)
  • 8 to 10 curry leaves
  • 1 cup chopped red onion
  • 3 cloves of garlic (chopped)
  • 1 tsp coriander powder
  • 1/4 tsp turmeric
  • 1/4 to 1/2 tsp cayenne
  • 3 tbsp shredded coconut (dry or fresh)
  • 1 medium tomato (chopped)
  • 1 tsp tamarind paste
  • 1/4 tsp sugar
  • 1/2 tsp salt or to taste

Method

  1. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add okra and pinch of salt and cook until the okra is golden on most edges. Stir every 5 to 7 minutes. 15 to 20 minutes.
  2. Meanwhile make the sauce: heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. when the oil is hot, add mustard seeds and let them start to sizzle and pop. Add fenugreek seeds, black pepper, split peas and curry leaves. cook for half a minute or until the split peas change color. Add onion, garlic and a pinch of salt and cook until translucent. 5 to 6 minutes
  3. Add spices and mix well. Add shredded coconut, tomato, tamarind, salt, sugar and 1/4 cup water. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes. Cool slightly and blend with a cup of water.
  4. Add the blended sauce to the okra and cook for 4 to 5 minutes or until the sauce thickens to preference and the okra is cooked to preference. Taste and adjust salt and spice. Serve with rice, dosa or flatbread
  5. Variation: Dry roast the split peas and fenugreek, grind them and add with coriander at step.

Kiyaan Singh’s Kitchen Note

Keep this recipe as a working base: cook once as written, then adjust spice, texture, and serving style for your own table.