Vendaikkai Poduthool (Lady's finger poriyal)

     This time it is a simple side-dish with a vegetable which many of us love. It is lady's finger poduthool. And that is how my paati and everyone at home calls a lady's finger poriyal :) Everytime I cook this dish, it reminds me of my good old days, where i used to happily take away those pieces of hard-to-cut lady's fingers and run around the house, sticking them on the walls as the eyes and nose of an imaginary face. When I am found to be more troublesome with this activity, my grandma cuts open the most ripe lady's fingers and collects its pearls and gives me to eat.

     
     As a kid, when i refuse to eat this vegetable (as by default most kids do :P ), many voices will come from different corners of the house telling "Vendaikkai saapdu.. Maths la 100 marks edukkalam.." meaning "Eat lady's finger... You will score a 100 in Maths.." :D :D :D

If it is during the time of exams, undoubtedly I oblige to it and be a good kid :P

     Playing with this vegetable had been a very great fun as a kid or until the time came for me to start cooking on my own. Only then i realized how messy its gum is :D

But after a couple of trials and errors, now I cook it to a non sticky form :)

Prep Time: 5 mins || Cook Time: 30 mins || Category: Side-dish

Ingredients:

1. Lady's finger - 250 gms

2. Bengal Gram (Kadalai Paruppu) - 1 tbsp

3. Cumin Seed (Jeera) - 1/2 tbsp

4. Mustard - 1 tsp

5. Oil - 1 tbsp

6. Turmeric Powder - 1 tsp

7. Chilli Powder - 2 tsp

8. Salt - as needed

9. Grated Coconut (Optional) - 2 tbsp

10. Asafoetida (Hing) - 1 tsp

Method: 

1. Heat a pan with oil and add mustard.When it splutters, add bengal gram followed by cumin seeds. After they turn brown, add the cut lady's finger, turmeric powder, chilli powder and give a stir.

2. Cook covered for 5 minutes. Add salt and asafoetida followed by a round of stirring. Keep covered for 3-5 mins.

3. Now the colour would have turned from its raw green to a glossy green. Add the grated coconut; stir and cook opened for about 5-7 mins and then switch off the flame.

There we go !!! Non-sticky lady's finger poriyal is ready.

Suggestions:

• Wash the Lady's finger and leave them in a colander for 5 mins to drain the water. Cut them uniformly into thin pieces. This is to ensure even and faster cooking.
• Initially cook with closed lid. Once it is cooked, take off the lid and cook open.
• Give occasional stirs when cooking open. Add little oil, if required and stir. This will help in getting the lady's finger non-sticky.
• Adding coconut is optional.
• Can also add sambar powder instead of plain chilli powder to get more spiciness.

I had it for lunch with araichu vita sambar & hot rice.. And also for dinner along with rotis !!