Video guide to making Kerala-style Vendakka Mappas or okra curry with coconut milk

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cooking time: 15 minutes

Servings: 4

Ingredients

1 ½ cup okra (chopped)

3 tbsp coconut oil

1 cardamom

2 cloves

1 cinnamon stick (1-inch)

1 sprig of curry leaves

2 onion (sliced)

2 garlic cloves (chopped)

1 tsp ginger (chopped)

2 green chillies (slit)

Salt to taste

1 tsp coriander powder

½ tsp red chilli powder

¼ tsp turmeric powder

½ tsp black pepper powder

1 tomato (chopped)

¼ tsp garam masala

½ tsp cumin powder (optional)

150 ml first press of coconut milk

400 ml second press of coconut milk

 

Method

Step: 1

Wash and pat dry the okra. Trim the ends and cut the okra into 1 or 1 ½ inch pieces.

 

Step: 2

Heat 2 tablespoons of coconut oil in a pan. Lightly fry the okra for about three minutes on medium flame or till they become little brown on the sides. Transfer it to a plate and keep them aside.

 

Step: 3

In the same pan, heat one tablespoon of coconut oil. Saute the cardamom, cloves, cinnamon stick, and a sprig of curry leaves for a few seconds.

 

Step: 4

Add the sliced onion, chopped ginger, garlic, and green chillies. Saute over a medium flame till the onion achieves a light reddish colour. Add salt for taste.

 

Step: 5

Add coriander powder, red chilli powder and turmeric powder. Saute for a few seconds on medium flame.

 

Step: 6

Add the fried okra and mix well.

 

Step: 7

Now add the second pressed coconut milk and allow them to boil. Cover and cook for about 4 to 5 minutes over a medium flame.

 

Step: 8

Lower the flame after 4 to 5 minutes and add the sliced tomato and the garam masala. Gently mix it.

 

Step: 9

Now add the first pressed coconut milk. Keep the flame low to medium and heat it till the steam starts rising from the curry. Tasty Vendakka Mappas is ready to serve. It goes well with rice or roti.

 

Notes:

Frying helps to remove the stickiness of okra.

Do not boil the curry after adding the first pressed coconut milk.

 

Recipe courtesy: Sobha Varghese is a homemaker based in Mumbai, India. Sobha runs a popular YouTube blog called ‘Sobha's Kitchenette’ that focuses on authentic and traditional Kerala recipes.

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