Creating a blog was out of the question for a long time for me, as measuring everything in the kitchen was like biting into an eggshell. I enjoy cooking and don’t want to waste even a slightest bit of enjoyment in that small world of mine. But little did I know that everything will change, when my husband came home with the Oscar nominated film ‘Julie and Julia’( a real life story) where Julie Powell (part played by Amy Adams) challenged herself to make all the 524 recipes from Julia Child's cook book ‘Mastering the Art of French Cooking’ and blogging all her experiences (The Julie/Julia Project). It was an inspiring movie. A few days later when we were discussing this casually with a friend of ours over tea…everything changed dramatically…..” How about you making at least half of it in one year? Not French but your own. 262 recipes that will inspire others and present it as a blog?” For a minute my mind traveled faster than light… With an experience as a helper in my mother in laws kitchen for 6 years followed by a three year everyday struggle to satisfy the palate of my foodie husband, if I cannot do it then why should I cook? But on the other side with an experience in English literature extending no more than expanding outline stories in English grammar class when I was 18 and two small kids that come in handy at times, will a commitment for the next one year work? Anyway my ‘cook's ego’ didn’t allow me to say no...

So my friends …here I am opening my recipe book, trying to perfect and present 262 recipes in the coming 365 days….A Challenge that will of course tastes good. Come.. Have a walk with me along my journey.. Cheering and inspiring….Forgiving and tolerating…Testing and tasting….for ‘A Tasty Challenge’

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Sunday, June 6, 2010

Okra/Lady's finger/Bhindi/ Vendakka Stew

Recipe No: 24
This is a dish from my mother’s kitchen. Back in the days she used to have many vegetables growing in her back yard. One of them was Okra/ Vendakka. I still remember her drying the seeds from ripe Okra to grow plants in the next season.
Ingredients                                                       Serves 4
  • Okra/ Vendakka/ Lady's finger/ Bhindi washed, wiped dry and cut into 1cm. rounds……..1 ½ cup
  • Onion sliced into thin long pieces………..1/2 small
  • Ginger minced………………………………….1 Teaspoon
  • Green Chilly sliced lengthwise…………….3-4
  • Curry leaves……………………………………..2 sprigs
  • Coconut oil………………………………………..2 Tablespoons
  • Mustard seeds…………………………………..1/2 Teaspoon
  • Chilly Powder…………………………………….1/4 Teaspoon
  • Coriander Powder……………………………...1 Tablespoon
  • Garam Masala Powder……………………….1/2 Teaspoon
  • Turmeric Powder………………………………1/4 Teaspoon
  • Water ………………………………………………..1-11/4 Cup
  • Thick Coconut milk……………………………..3/4 Cup
  • Salt as per taste
Method of Preparation
  1. Preparing Okra needs a bit of a care. Wash them well, wipe and dry at least one hour before cutting. The best way is to wash and dry them when you bring them home from the market itself. Completely drying them will reduce the slime considerably.
  2. Heat oil in a pan and add the mustard seeds and allow spluttering.
  3. Add Okra, Onion, Ginger, Green Chilly, Curry leaves and salt and saute till the slime disappears completely.
  4. Lower the heat to medium low and add Chiily powder, Coriander powder, Garam Masala powder and Turmeric powder and saute till the raw smell is gone for a minute.
  5. Add water so that it covers the okra pieces, close the pan and let it cook on medium heat for 10-12 minutes.
  6. Once cooked add coconut milk and let it boil along the sides.
  7. Turn off the flame and serve it hot with Chappathi. 
 




 Make it, enjoy the deliciousness and
serve it to your family with love...

    1 comments:

    Ra. rahul_does said...

    That movie inspired me to give up using my dumpy head and stick to the measurements.

    You inspire me at a different level. Thanks.

    Ra.

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