Bendakaya Pulusu (Okra in Tangy Tamarind Gravy)
Fried okra simmered in a thick, tangy tamarind and jaggery gravy, a beloved village-style vegetable dish across coastal Andhra.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 30 min
- Total
- 45 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 160 kcal
Equipment
- •Clay pot or kadai
Nutrition
Per serving, approximate
- Calories
- 160 kcal
- fat
- 8 g
- carbs
- 20 g
- fibre
- 5 g
- protein
- 3 g
- calories
- 160 kcal
Instructions
- 1
Heat 2 tablespoons of sesame oil in a kadai (deep pan) on medium heat. Fry the okra for 8-10 minutes until lightly browned, then set aside.
- 2
Add the remaining oil to the same pan. Sizzle the mustard seeds, fenugreek seeds and dried red chillies in the hot oil.
- 3
Add curry leaves and chopped onion. Fry gently until the onion turns soft and see-through.
- 4
Add turmeric and red chilli powder. Stir quickly so the spices do not burn.
- 5
Pour in the tamarind pulp mixed with 300 ml water. Bring the liquid to a boil.
- 6
Stir in jaggery (unrefined sugar) and salt until dissolved. Simmer for 8-10 minutes until the raw tamarind smell cooks off.
- 7
Add the fried okra back into the gravy. Simmer for another 8-10 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the okra.
- 8
Taste and adjust the sweet, sour and spicy flavours. Remove the pan from the heat.
Chef's tips
Fry the okra separately first so it does not become slimy. Make sure the okra is completely dry before cutting, as water makes it sticky.
Ingredient substitutions
- okra → brinjal (vankaya) for the same pulusu preparation
Storage
Refrigerate for up to 2 days in an airtight container.
Reheating
Reheat gently on the stovetop, adding a splash of water if the gravy has thickened too much.
Common mistakes to avoid
- •Chopping wet okra, which makes it sticky while cooking.
- •Adding the okra too early into the gravy, making it mushy and slimy.
Serving suggestions
Cooked Bendakaya Pulusu (Okra in Tangy Tamarind Gravy)?
Sign in to save this recipe to a collection. Bookmarking works without an account — it stays on this device.
Sign in for collectionsSimilar recipes
Dishes with the same spirit, spice level and course.
More from Andhra Pradesh
Cooking that shares the same kitchen and pantry.
Recipes using similar ingredients
Use what you already bought for this recipe.
