Pachadi, especially vendakka pachadi, is a very common part of a Kerala sadya or wedding meal. Its simplicity balances out the heat of the other curries and side dishes that are seen as more important. I have always had a soft corner for the simple pachadi. Unlike my beetroot pachadi recipe, this vendakka pachadi doesn’t use any coconut. It’s more like an okra raita with some basic ingredients you will most likely have in your pantry.
For more recipes with okra or vendakka, check out:
Bhindi masala recipe
Aloo bhindi
Okra fry
Okra stew
Vendakka avial
Vendakka Pachadi Recipe
Ingredients:
10 vendakka / okra
1 small onion
1 tsp oil
1/4 tsp mustard seeds
1/4 tsp roasted jeera / cumin powder
1 green chilli (or to taste)
1 cup thick plain yogurt
1/4 to 1/2 cup water
Salt to taste
Instructions:
To prepare the okra: Wash the okra and lay them out to dry without overlapping. If you want to proceed without waiting, pat dry thoroughly with kitchen napkins and proceed to chop. This is how I make okra less slimy when cooking.
Cut the okra into thin rounds. Chop the onion finely and the green chilli into small pieces (or crush using a pestle and mortar).
Heat oil, add mustard seeds and when they pop, add the onions, green chilli and okra. Fry for 8-10 mins until the onions are golden and the okra is fried and crisp. Drain and leave aside to cool.
Beat yogurt with salt and cumin powder. Dunk in the fried okra mixture and mix well.
Serve with rice and side dish / kuzhambu.
I tried this recipe last night. It was really good. I used to hate this vegetable, but I'm also married to a Tamil Brahmin like you. He loves okra a lot, so I had no choice and I trained myself to like it too by trying such simple and tasty recipes.
Nags, I made this today…was soo tasty.Actually I luv okra in any form..except raw so just luved it with curd. My lil one was licking the curd alone as she cant chew the okras properly 🙂
My mom adds a tsp of ground mustard with the curd. She adds coconut as well but that is optional. The mustard gives a deep flavor when mixed with the tangy curd.
We add coconut,thats the only difference,i love this a lot!
Pachadi looks lovely, would love to have it with rice!
Hey Nags, forgot to say.. new template looks good!!
Pictures looks delicious! Thanks for recipe! Have to try it one day.
Hi Nags,
Prepareed this yesterday and it is really tasty, my hubby liked it very much and so prepared it today for his lunch!
I did add curry leaves.
Thanks for this very simple but a tasty recipe.
I've learnt something new. Thank you.
Happy Vishu Nags
Luv this simple vendakaya recipe…nice click..
Have been thinking to make this for longtime, being an okra fan, I must try this soon. Happy Vishu Nags !!
what a coincidence – i made this yesterday for lunch and had the leftovers today -n even better today – I don't add onions tho' just kari patta – its a yummy yummy thing. GREAT pics! Happy Vishu!
Ore Jollu oorudhu ma.. I've never made it with onions and vendakkai – always just vendakkai only. But I can so see how awesome this would taste!
Never had okra yogurt pachadi before… have tasted it with various other veggies but never with okra… will try it some time…
this is a fave at home & its my hubby who usually makes it in no time
Wow.. comforting and tasty.. pic looks so good
I have had this in hotels…but never thought of giving a try at home…looks very simple and tasty!
lovely pictures as usual and i love it in the summer months…you don't like curry patta in it ??
it's yummy any way though..
lovely and my favourite recipe. We too make this but adding onions is new to me.
Please don't laugh at me but I really wanna know what that vegtable is and where I can find it? Btw I am in Melboure. It looks so cute.
Sangeeta, you are right!! I don't rem if I had curry leaves when I made this but that's a great idea!
Hi there, the vegetable is called okra and you should be able to find it in any vegetable store, or supermarket.