Bendakaya-Vankaya Pulusu

Pulusu is a tangy stew usually made in Andhra homes. The medley of tamarind, jaggery, and chili powder combined with vegetables, onions or even eggs and fish, makes this lip smacking accompaniment with rice. Check my fish pulusu recipe here. Okra/ladies’ finger and brinjal go into today’s tamarind based preparation, which is very simple yet delicious.

Ingredients
6-8 bendakaya/okra/ladies’ finger
2-3 medium brinjal
2 medium tomatoes
2 tbsp tamarind paste

1 medium onion
1 green chili, slit
2 springs curry leaves
1 tsp coriander powder
1 tsp red chili powder
¼ tsp turmeric powder
½ tsp jaggery
¼ tsp cumin seeds
¼ tsp mustard seeds
5-6 fenugreek seeds
salt to taste
1 tbsp oil

Method

• Heat oil in pan. Add fenugreek seeds, mustard seeds and let them splutter. Add cumin seeds and allow crackling.
• Add chopped onion, curry leaves, green chili and sauté till the onions turn golden brown.
• Add chopped tomatoes and cook covered until they turn mushy.
• Now add chopped okra, brinjal and sauté for couple of minutes.
• Add red chili, coriander, turmeric powders, salt and combine well. Add enough water for vegetables to cook. Combine everything well, cover, cook until the veggies are cooked.
• Now add tamarind paste, jaggery, combine well and cook again for 2-3 minutes. 
• Check the seasoning and consistency. Switch off the flame and serve hot with steam rice.