Vendakkai Thayir Pachadi/ Spicy Okra in yogurt sauce/ Bhindi Raita

I had a lot of veggies in the fridge the other day. But there were very few veggies 2 of each type and I had a handful of Okra. So I decided to make a festive menu with all the veggies on-hand. And I ended up making Sambar, rasam, 2 curry/poriyal varieties, appalam, and my all time favorite Okra raita.

It is a very simple and easy recipe. My mom makes it very often and of course she makes it very delicious too. Here is how I made it.

Ingredients:

Okra - About 8-10 small sized ones
Oil - 1/2 Tbsp
Mustard seeds - A few for tempering
Urad Dal - 1/4 Tsp for tempering
Chana Dal - 1/2 Tsp for tempering
Asafoetida /Hing - 1/8th of a Tsp
Turmeric Powder - A pinch
Red Chilli Powder - 1/8th of a Tsp
Curry Leaves - Optional (I did not use them)
Salt - To taste

Method:

• Cut the okra into small pieces about 1/2 an inch thickness and set it aside.

• In a pan heat oil. Once the oil is hot add in the mustard seeds, urad dal chana dal, asafoetida/hing, salt and curry leaves. Then add in the okra and fry well.

• Once the okra is cooked through, remove from flame and allow it to cool down completely.

• In a bowl take some yogurt and whisk it well to get a very smooth consistency.

• Add the cooled okra to the yogurt and mix well. Set aside for about 1/2 an hour before serving.

• Serve chilled or at room temperature with lunch or dinner.

Notes:

• Some like to deep fry the okra until it is dark brown. It depends on you whether you would like it to be deep fried or just cooked.
• You can choose not to add turmeric powder and red chilli powder.
• I did not have curry leaves. So I did not use them. You can add them for extra flavor.
• Thickness of yogurt depends on how you like it. I like it medium thick. I whisk it so that I get a smooth yogurt.

Raita

Raita is a side dish made from Yogurt and a few vegetables. It is used as an accompaniment to the Rice Dishes and is very popularly used in India. It is a very simple recipe. There are many varieties to this dish. This is my version of a tasty and healthy Raita.

Ingredients:

1 cup Yogurt
1/2 cup Buttermilk
2 Green Chillies (Finely Chopped)
1 Medium-sized onion (Finely chopped)
1 Medium-sized tomato (Finely Chopped)
1 small Carrot grated
1 Cucumber (Finely Chopped)
1 tsp Black Salt
1/2 tsp Cumin powder
Salt to taste

Method

• In a mixing bowl, blend together the Yogurt and the Buttermilk to a smooth and a fine liquid.
• To this add all the chopped veggies: Onions, Tomatoes, Green Chillies,Cucumber and Carrots.
• Mix these will until it is well incorporated and coated with the Yogurt liquid.
• Then add the Black Salt and the Cumin Powder.
• Add Salt to taste and mix all the ingredients well.
• Garnish with Cilantro.
• Raita is ready to be served.

(You can use Chat Masala, if you want an added flavor to this Raita)

Enjoy your Raita as it is or with a Rice Dish.