Vendakka means ladies finger or bindi. Vendakka puli is one of the popular side dish for rice. Mulagoottal and vendakka puli is a good combo for rice. Vendakka puli is a spicy gravy which is cooked in tamarind water. Let us see how to make Vendakka puli.

Preparation time approx. 15 to 20 minutes.

Ingredients.

200 gram vendakka/ bindi.

2 tbsp tamarind paste or a small size tamarind soaked in water.

8 green chillies.

1/2 tsp chilli powder.

1 tbsp rice flour.

Few curry leaves.

1 tsp jaggery powder ( as per your taste)

3 tbsp thil oil.

1 tsp mustard seeds.

1/2 tsp methi seeds.

1/2 tsp asafoetida

Salt to taste.

1/ tsp turmeric powder.

Method.

Wash clean and wipe the bindi/ venkakka with a tissue or cloth. Cut it one inch long.

Heat the oil. Add mustard seeds. Let it splutter. Add mustard seeds. Fry it till become brown on slow fire. Add finely chopped green chillies. Add asafoetida and curry leaves. Saute this. Now add bindi . Fry this on slow fire for 1 minute..

In the mean time take tamarind juice from soaked tamarind. Take a cup of thin juice. Add this to venkakka. Now add turmeric , red chilli powder, jaggery and salt. Cook till the vendakka or bindi becomes soft. Add 1/ 2 cup water to rice flour and mix well. Adjust the consistency adding water. Add this to vendakka. Cook till the gravy become little thick.

Serve with rice.

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