Vendakka (Lady’s finger) pachadi

Vendakka (Lady’s finger) pachadi

 

Pachadi is a traditional Kerala side dish for plain rice.  It is an indispensable item for sadya and gives a vibrant contrast to the green banana leaf.

 

 

Ingredients

·         Lady’s finger (cut horizontally into thin round shapes)-15

·         Ginger finely chopped-1tbsp

·         Shallots chopped-1 tbsp.

·         Green chilies chopped-1tsp

·         Curry leaves-2 sprigs

·         Red chilies broken into two-1

·         Mustard -2tsp

·         Shredded coconut-2tbsp. heaped

·         Curd-1 cup

·         Cumin powder-1/4 tsp.

·         Oil- 1 tbsp+1tsp

·         Salt to taste

Method

·         Heat a table spoon of oil in a wok and add the lady’s finger stir till the stickiness is gone and keep aside

·         Grind the coconut, half of the shallots into a fine paste and then add a teaspoon of mustard and grind for 3 seconds till the mustards are just broken.

·         Heat the remaining teaspoon of oil in a pan and splutter a teaspoon of mustard seeds.

·         Add the remaining shallots, ginger, green chilies, red chilies and sauté till the shallots turn brown.

·         Add the lady’s finger and ground coconut paste and close the lid and cook it in a low flame for 3 to 4 minutes.

·         Switch off the gas and add the whisked curd and cumin powder stir well and add salt...

·         Serve with plain rice.