Vendakaai puli kuzhambu/Ladies finger in tamarind juice

Ingredients:

• Ladies Finger - 10 to 12 pieces (cut into round pieces)
• Onion - 1/2 medium (chopped)
• Tomato - 1 large (chopped)
• Garlic - 4 cloves
• Curry leaves - 1/2 strand
• Chili powder - 1 tsp
• Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
• Coriander powder - 1 tsp
• Fenugreek seeds - 1/4 tsp
• Asafoetida - a pinch
• Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
• Tamarind - lemon size ball
• Salt - to taste
• Oil - 3 tsp

Method:

1. Soak the tamarind in 1/2 cup water and extract the juice.
2. Heat oil in a pan. Splutter mustard seeds and add fenugreek seeds fry for 30 secs.
3. Add the asafoetida, turmeric powder, garlic cloves and saute the onions till golden brown.
4. Now add in the tomatoes and cook till it becomes soft.
5. Add the ladies finger, chili powder, coriander powder, salt and cook till the ladies finger is half cooked. You can sprinkle some water at this point to avoid burning at the bottom of the pan.
6. Add the tamarind juice and cook till the curry becomes thick.
7. Serve with hot plain rice.