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    Home » Recipes » Indian Dry Vegetables - Poriyal

    Stuffed Okra | Stuffed Vendakkai | Bharwan Bhindi

    Published: Jun 2, 2021 · by Nisha

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Stuffed Okra or Stuffed Vendakkai or Bharwan Bhindi with a super tasty spice mix made from dry red chillies, lentils and coriander seeds and peanuts. Have it with steaming hot white rice on the side.

    Stuffed okra, with aromatic spices made the South Indian way.

    There are some spice mixes that can be universal. It is so all-purpose, that you will be using it in most of the recipes. One such not so widely known spice mix of the Tambrahms is this kari podi (it has nothing to with curry powder, just a homophone) I can never imagine my pantry without this in stock. It gets generously used in most of the stir fries (kari) and in araichuvitta sambhar. Also you can use this as to amend the regular sambhar or any tamarind based gravy if the sourness is more.  And, if any spice mix calls for channa dahl, dhaniya and red chilli, I immediately substitute this. This spice mix's main purpose is to use it in stir fries i.e., Kari and hence the name kari podi (powder in tamil).

    Prep shot of stuffed okra with spice mix made from dry red chillies, lentils and coriander seeds and peanuts (optional).
    Prep shot of stuffed okra with spice mix made from dry red chillies, lentils and coriander seeds and peanuts (optional).
    Prep shot of stuffed okra with spice mix made from dry red chillies, lentils and coriander seeds and peanuts (optional).

    This is the star ingredient of my today's recipe. I have used this as a stuffing in Vendaikkai. For this recipe, one has to have small and tender okra. If the size is uniform and small, it cooks evenly and faster. If it is not tender and is tough, it become rubbery and difficult to chew when fried.

    This dish is one of the best ways to eat vendakkai / Okra. Its not gooey and slimy and its a perfect balance of crispiness and softness. And for the spice lovers, you can increase the chilli and it can be paired well with dishes similar to kadhi and morkuzhambu.

    Okra
    Print
    Lady's Finger Fry | Stuffed Vendakkai Okra
    Prep Time
    20 mins
    Cook Time
    20 mins
    Total Time
    40 mins
     

    Lady's Finger / Vendakkai / Okra stuffed with a spicy kari podi.

    Servings: 3
    Author: Nisha
    Ingredients
    • About 20 Vendakkai | Okra (small size)
    • 4-5 tablespoon Oil
    For roasting and grinding
    • 4 tablespoon Dhaniya | Coriander seeds
    • 3 tablespoon Kadalai Parupu | Channa Dahl
    • 4-5 Red Chillies
    • Salt to taste
    Instructions
    1. Roast the dhaniya, channa dahl and red chillies in a pan. Cool and grind it to a fine powder. Add salt to the mix.
    2. Wash and pat dry the Okra with a towel. Then trim the head and slit in between making it into half.
    3. Then stuff the spice mix in between and press it tight so that it holds.
    4. Heat oil in a heavy bottomed Kadai | Pan over medium low heat. Preferably a cast iron pan.
    5. Once the oil is hot put the okra and make sure it is not over crowded.
    6. Cover with a lid and cook. Keep turning it in between and cook until it becomes tender. You can also add the spice mix on top if there is any remaining.
    7. Serve them with mor kuzhambu rice.
    Recipe Notes

    Adjust the chillies as per your spice level. Also add salt a little bit more. It should be slightly salty and spicy so that you don't have to add it in the end. Even if you add it in the end it might not mix properly.

    View other "Indian Dry Vegetables - Poriyal" recipes

    • Aloo Jeera - Roasted Potatoes with Cumin
    • Beans Paruppu Usili
    • Seppankizhangu roast | Arbi fry
    • Punjabi Bharwan Karela - Stuffed bitter gourd

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Ruchi Indu says

      May 31, 2016 at 4:16 pm

      loved the lighting in the pics. the fried okras sounds very tasty and spicy

      Reply
    2. Padma Rekha says

      May 27, 2016 at 7:13 am

      Love that second picture and okra recipe sounds yummm..

      Reply
    3. Chef Mireille says

      May 01, 2016 at 4:10 pm

      my favorite veg - looks great

      Reply
    4. Sandhya Ramakrishnan says

      April 20, 2016 at 3:35 am

      Love the set up and the clicks Nisha! The recipe looks wonderful.

      Reply
    5. Smruti Shah says

      April 17, 2016 at 4:51 pm

      I love okra in all its forms, especially the stuffed ones. Lovely clicks Nisha!!

      Reply
    6. Harini-Jaya R says

      April 16, 2016 at 1:35 am

      Love these darker background images. The stuffing in there looks so tempting

      Reply
    7. Nalini's Kitchen says

      April 15, 2016 at 11:30 pm

      The clicks are awesome and love the set up..Such an interesting okra fry..

      Reply
    8. Sapana Behl says

      April 15, 2016 at 9:16 pm

      Omg such a amazing set up and love the lightening.Okra looks delicious .

      Reply
    9. Amara Annapaneni says

      April 15, 2016 at 4:47 pm

      Love those stuffed okras Nisha. Excellent clicks:)

      Reply
    10. Gayathri Kumar says

      April 15, 2016 at 10:12 am

      The stuffed and fried okras look absolutely delicious..

      Reply
    11. Srivalli says

      April 15, 2016 at 5:37 am

      Lovely setup Nisha..looks so excellent with that moody atmosphere....and I love stuffed okras..

      Reply
    12. Srividhya Gopalakrishnan says

      April 15, 2016 at 4:12 am

      Superb pics.. Love to know your setting.. Amazing recipe too.

      Reply
    13. vaishali sabnani says

      April 15, 2016 at 12:06 am

      That's a brilliant idea , making this podi and substituting , okra looks fantastic and the clicks are awesome ...as always Nisha.

      Reply
    14. Pavani N says

      April 14, 2016 at 11:04 pm

      Wow, those stuffed okra look amazing. Lovely clicks.

      Reply
    15. Suma Gandlur says

      April 14, 2016 at 9:06 pm

      I too love the light and shadesee in your pictures. That one is a flavor podi. We add u rad da and coconut to our version.

      Reply
    16. Priya Suresh says

      April 14, 2016 at 8:49 pm

      Those stuffed okras are calling me, wat a super lighting Nisha, damn delicious dish.

      Reply
    17. Usha says

      April 14, 2016 at 7:47 pm

      Stuffed okra looks scrumptious!! Lovely pictures and love the lighting in the pictures.

      Reply

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    Nisha freelances as a food & product photographer/recipe developer & content creator in the F&B space.

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