Okra Stir Fry - Chettinad Style

          You must have cooked and relished okra in many different ways. Now how about preparing it in a Chettinad style? Spice up this dish by adding some homemade Chettinad spice (recipe given below) to the end product and enjoy it as a side dish with either rice or chapattis.

• 300 gms. okra, chopped into 1" thick piece
• 2 tbsp. oil
• 1 tsp. mustard seeds
• 1 sprig curry leaves
• 1 tsp. split urad dal (black gram)
• 1 tsp. garlic, chopped
• 1/4 tsp. asafoetida
• salt to taste
• 1/2 tsp. turmeric powder
• 2 tbsp. Chettinad powder (see recipe below)
• 1 tsp. red chili flakes (opt)
• 1 tsp. lime juice
• 2 tbsp. coriander leaves, chopped

           Heat oil in a pan and temper with mustard seeds. After it stops spluttering, add the curry leaves, asafoetida, garlic and urad dal. Sauté for a few seconds.

          Add the okra, salt and turmeric powder. Cover and fry on a medium flame till soft, for 4-5 minutes by stirring at intervals.

          Add the Chettinad spice, red chili flakes and lime juice. Mix well and add the coriander leaves. Serve as a side dish with rice or chapattis.






Chettinad Spice-

• 2-3 tbsp. coriander seeds
• 8-10 dry red chilies
• 2-3 green cardamoms
• 1" cinnamon
• 5-6 cloves
• 1 tbsp. cumin seeds
• 2 tbsp. fresh grated coconut
• 1 javitri
• 1 tbsp. stone flower
• 2 marathi moggu
• 1 star anise
• 1/4 tsp. fenugreek seeds
• 1/2 tsp. pepper corns
• 1 tbsp. fennel seeds

         Dry roast the coconut first till light brown. Then add rest of the ingredients and sauté for a minute on a low flame or till you get a nice aroma coming through. Keep aside to cool. Then grind into a fine powder and store in an air tight container.