Mor Kuzhambu (with Ladies Finger)

Vacations to India usually result in a few extra kgs to almost all NRIs. Ours was no exception.But, vacations are just to enjoy and be ourselves. So, I dont prefer to be too much sticking to diet and all. Further, when mom or mother-in-law prepares something specially for us, no matter how much additional kilos it might bring later, does it really matter???

Once during our vacation this time, my mother-in-law prepared a simple மோர் குழம்பு  (Yoghurt curry) along with other curries. It is to be had as the last round of our lunch with rice. It was so delicious, that I couldnt resist two rounds of it :-) When asked for the recipe, she guided me and here, I present it to you all. I believe that my own preparation turned out almost equally good ;-)

Mor kuzhambu is a typical south Indian dish. It can be prepared in so many ways with many other vegetables like bitter gourd (பாவைக்காய்), Cucumber, சுண்டைக்காய், etc. This one here is prepared with Ladies Finger (வெண்டைக்காய்) and is utterly simple and takes little time to prepare.

Serves: 2-3
Preparation Time: 30 Mins

Ingredients:
Ladies finger – 350g
Yoghurt – 500 ml
Chili powder – 3 tsp
Turmeric powder – ½ tsp
Ginger garlic paste – 2 tsp
Oil – for frying
Salt – as per taste

To sauté:
Mustard seeds – 1 tsp
Urad dal – 1 tsp
Curry leaves – a few
Dried red chilies - 2

Method:
Wash the ladies finger and dry them well with a paper towel. Cut them into one inch pieces. Optionally, you could also slit some pieces vertically.

In a large bowl, add the chili powder, turmeric, ginger-garlic paste and salt. Mix them well. Now, add the cut ladies finger into them and mix gently until the pieces are thoroughly coated with the spice mix. Leave this aside for half an hour.

Heat the oil in a frying pan. When the oil is hot, add the ladies finger pieces and fry them.  You can fry them in batches. Do not overcrowd in the pan. After frying, collect them in a sieve with paper towels to drain the excess oil. Keep aside.

Take yoghurt in another vessel.  Add little water and required salt to this and beat well. It should be of a thick liquid consistency.

In a small frying pan, heat oil and add mustard seeds. When mustard seeds splutter, add urad dal, dried red chilies and curry leaves.  Saute for about a minute and pour it over the yoghurt. Now, add the fried ladies finger pieces to this and mix well. Simmer this for just about a minute. Garnish with coriander leaves.

This goes well with freshly prepared rice.