Bendakaya Vepudu - Lady's Finger / Okra Fry - Andhra Telugu Food

Preparations:

Wash and cut the lady’s fingers into small pieces. While selecting the lady’s fingers see that they are tender. Bend the tail end of the lady finger and if it breaks easily it is tender—if it doesn’t break then they make crunchy sound while cutting and are not to be used. Even with just one piece of such un- tender piece of lady’s finger the curry gets spoiled. So it is better to prepare the curry the same day when the vegetable is bought.

Method:

Heat a non-stick pan and add oil to it. When the oil is hot add the cumin seeds. When the cumin splutters add the cut vegetable pieces. Add turmeric powder, salt and mix well. Cook covered on medium flame for 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the lid and stir the vegetable once and again cook covered for a minute. Repeat the process of cooking and frying till the vegetable is almost cooked. Now remove the lid and fry the vegetable for 2 to 3 minutes or till you feel it is dry. Add red chili powder, karapodi and mix gently. The chili powder absorbs the moisture the curry will become dry. Fry for some more time till the curry is totally dry and the vegetable is crunchy. Transfer the curry to a serving bowl and serve with hot rice.

Points to Remember:

Lady’s fingers are too sticky when cut into pieces. While stirring they get mashed up easily by breaking. So stir them gently.

Do not cover the vessel while cooking continuously for a long time. Water oozes out of the vegetable and the curry will be gooey. Cover for 2 to 3 minutes – then remove the lid and fry for few seconds. Again cover for 2 to 3 minutes – then remove the lid and fry for few seconds. When fried in this manner the vegetable gets dried and will not ooze out moisture. We have to cook the vegetable and at the same time fry it. So we cover it and cook and fry it after removing the lid.