Kerala Vendakkai Thoran Recipe – Okra Stir Fry with Coconut

Kerala Vendakkai Thoran is a simple and delicious preparation of Okra or Bhindi flavored with pearl onions, green chilies, and coconut. This style of making vegetable is very typical to South India especially Kerala.  Course : Dinner Ingridients : 350 grams Bhindi (Lady Finger/Okra) , cut into half with stem removed 1/2 cup Fresh coconut , grated 2 Green Chillies , finely chopped 10 Pearl onions (Sambar Onions) , roughly chopped 1 inch Ginger , peeled and grated 1 teaspoon Mustard seeds (Rai/ Kadugu) 1 teaspoon White Urad Dal (Split) Salt , to taste 6 Curry leaves 2 tablespoons Oil Instructions To begin making the Kerala Vendakkai Thoran, first grind the grated coconut along with the green chilies in mixer and grinder using little water to make a coarse paste. Transfer the paste to a bowl and keep aside until required. Next, heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat. Add the mustard seeds, urad dal, curry leaves and allow them to crackle. Once they crackle, add the chopped onions and grated ginger. Saute till the onions become tender and translucent. Now add the Vendakkai  and curry leaves, stir to combine. Add the salt to taste, cover the pan with the lid, turn the heat to low. Cook Vendakkai  for about 4 minutes or till the vegetable is partially cooked through. Once the vegetable is partially cooked through, keep the lid of the pan slightly ajar, so some of the steam escapes out through the opening. We do this process, so the Vendakkai does not become soggy, but at the same time gets cooked well.Onced the Vendakkai  is cooked well, add the grated coconut paste. Stir fry on medium heat for 5-10 minutes or till the aroma of roasted coconut is released. Turn off the heat. Transfer Kerala Vendakka Thoran to the serving bowl.Serve the Kerala Vendakkai Thoran along with Steamed Rice and sambar for a wholesome lunch.