Bendakaya Pulusu Recipe – Andhra Style Tangy Ladies Finger Curry

Bendakaya Pulusu Recipe is an Andhra Style tangy and spicy tamarind based gravy prepared with ladies finger/okra/bhindi . The tanginess from the tamarind, the spice from the sambar powder and sweetness from the jaggery makes for a perfect balance of flavours. Pulusu is similar to Tamil Nadu Kuzhambu which is also prepared with a tamarind and jaggery gravy. Course : Lunch Ingridients : 250 grams Bhindi (Lady Finger/Okra) , cut into 1 inch pieces 1/2 cup Pearl onions (Sambar Onions) , quartered 2 Tomatoes , finely chopped 30 grams Tamarind , soaked in hot water 2 sprig Curry leaves , torn 1/2 teaspoon Mustard seeds (Rai/ Kadugu) 1/2 teaspoon Cumin seeds (Jeera) 1/2 teaspoon Methi Seeds (Fenugreek Seeds) 1/4 teaspoon Turmeric powder (Haldi) 1/2 teaspoon Red Chilli powder 1/2 teaspoon Sambar Powder 1 tablespoon Jaggery 2 teaspoons Gingelly oil 1 teaspoon Salt , or to taste Instructions To begin making Andhra Style Bendakaya Pulusu, prep all the ingredients and keep ready/soak tamarind in hot water for 20 minutes and extract the pulp and keep aside. You can add water two times to extract the water from the pulp. To cook the Bendakaya Pulusu, preheat oil in a pressure cooker over medium heat; add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, fenugreek seeds and allow then to crackle. Add in quartered onion and curry leaves and saute until the onions turn soft and translucent. Next add the tomatoes, give it a stir for a minute. Stir in the cut Ladies Finger/Okra/Bendakaya along with the tamarind water, turmeric powder, jaggery, sambar powder and salt. Add 1/4 cup water and pressure cook the Bendakaya Pulusu for 2 whistles and turn off the heat.Allow the pressure to release naturally and open the cooker. Give the Bendakaya Pulusu a taste and adjust the salt and seasoning accordingly. Transfer the Bendakaya Pulusu to a serving bowl and serve hot.Serve Andhra Style Bendakaya Pulusu along with Steamed Rice, Andhra Style Palakura Vepudu, Moong Sprouts Salad with Grated Carrots and Cucumber and Curd for a complete Andhra Style meal.