Taste of Tamil Nadu: Okra Gravy

Okra, also known as lady's finger, is a popular vegetable in South Indian cuisine. It is often used in dishes such as sambar, a lentil-based vegetable stew, and Okra masala, a spicy okra curry.

  Here is a recipe for South Indian-style okra gravy:

Ingredients:

• 1 pound okra, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces

• 2 tablespoons oil

• 1 teaspoon mustard seeds

• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds

• 1 medium onion, finely chopped

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 teaspoon ground coriander

• 1 teaspoon ground cumin

• 1 teaspoon garam masala

• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder

• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric

• 1 cup coconut milk

• Salt to taste

Instructions:

• Heat the oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the mustard seeds and cumin seeds, and cook until they begin to pop.

• Add the onions and garlic, and cook until the onions are soft and translucent.

• Stir in the coriander, cumin, garam masala, chili powder, and turmeric, and cook for 1-2 minutes.

• Add the okra to the pan and stir to coat it in the spice mixture.

• Pour in the coconut milk and bring the mixture to a boil.

  

• Reduce the heat to low, and simmer until the okra is tender, about 15 minutes.

• Season with salt to taste, and serve hot with rice or Indian bread.

• In addition of coconut milk for a creamy, slightly sweeter flavor. You can adjust the spice level by using more or less chili powder, or omit it entirely for a milder flavor. You can also add other vegetables to the gravy, such as tomatoes, bell peppers, or potatoes. Simply dice the vegetables and add them to the pan along with the onions and garlic.