Bendekaayi Gojju

Ingredients :

• Ladies finger (Bendekaayi) - ¹/₂kg
• Grated coconut - two handfuls
• Green chillis - 4-6nos
• Mustard seeds - 1tsp
• coriender leaves (Kothumbari soppu/dhaniya) - few
• Rice (akki) - 1tsp
• Turmeric powder - a pinch
• Tamarind - marble sized
• Fenugreek seeds - 2tsp
• Cumin seeds - 2tsp
• Sesame seeds (yellu)- 1tsp
• Jaggery - a large piece
• Salt - to taste
• Oil
• Mustard
• Red chillies

Method of Preparation :

Fry fenugreek, cumin and sesame seeds until fenugreek turns brown. Allow to cool and grind to a powder.

Wet grind grated coconut, green chillies, mustard seeds, coriander leaves, rice and turmeric powder along with the above ground powder with sufficient water.

Wipe ladies finger in a wet towel and cut them into 1" long pieces. Heat oil and fry ladies finger on a low flame till they are well cooked. Add oil if needed while frying.
Soak the tamarind in a cup of water and extract the juice. Pour the tamarind juice in onto the cooked ladies finger. Allow it to soak and boil for 5 minutes. Put the ground mixture, salt, jaggery and mix well. Add curry leaves and allow the mixture to cook on low fire, till it becomes a semi thick liquid.

Season mustard and red chillies and add it to the Bendekaayi gojju. Serve with rice, chappati etc.