Inherited recipe – Okra curry / Okra soup kolambu

// 53 Comments
I’m sure your new year is bustling like a bee and you are completely into it…Mine started with bit of vacation hangover gradually moved to normal routine – running in and out. Keeping it short since it’s Monday morning and you know how Monday syndromes are! This recipe is from my Ammama (Maternal grandma) I don’t remember she making it but mum makes them so very often. Yet again it’s our favorite, which is quite suitable with rice and papads. For those who are wondering how on earth I’m posting okra recipes during winter, I looted huge amount of okras from oriental shop during early winter and very well stored it my freezer. Now I’m making best use of my all time fav veggie. Have a great productive week ahead.

Ingrediants
15- 20 Okras (cleaned, towel dried and diced)
2 – 2 1/2 tbspn of oil
1 – 1 1/2 inch Cinnamon
5 Cloves
2 Cardamon

1 medium size Onion (Finely chopped)
1/2 tspn Ginger Garlic paste
2 medium size Tomato  (Finely chopped)
50 gram Channa Dhal
Pinch of turmeric powder
1 tspn Chilly powder
1/2 cup – 3/4  water

Salt to taste
1/2 tbspn of finely chopped coriander
1/2 tbspn of finely chopped mint

Method
Pot boil or pressure cook Channa dhal till they are soft. Partially smash the cooked dhal. Once done leave them aside
In a pan use about 1 tbspn of oil and fry the okras with pinch of turmeric and required salt till they are cooked. after it is cooked leave them aside.
In the same pan add remaining amount of oil. Once oil is warm add cinnamon, cloves and cardamon and let  them splutter. Next add finely chopped onions, saute till they become transparent. Throw in ginger garlic paste, fry till raw flavor vanishes (about 40 -60 sec). Next add finely chopped tomatoes. Fry till oil comes out. Then add fried okras. Saute for about 1 minute. Pour in cooked dhal, add 1 tspn of chilly powder and required amount of salt.Add about 1/2 of water or more to get the required consistency. This curry should have thin consistency, not exactly like soup but between curry and soup. Boil for few mins and garnish with coriander and mint. Serve it warm with steaming rice.

53 comments

  9. Ushnish Ghosh says:

    Dear Ananda
    How are you? I am back from Tiger country and without seeing each other.
    I like Okra in all form. Will try it soon.
    Hummm your new year bash was great I could guess..reminds me of mu hey days ..
    I did not know you are such a great photographer , just sneaked into Flikr and saw many and will see more. Could not put a comment. I need to find out my yahoo password.
    Have a nice week.
    PS In which subject you are doing PhD?

  13. MaryMoh says:

    I love okra and I love curry but have never cooked or eaten curry okra before. Must try next time. I had just cooked okra omelette the other day. It was very delicious.

  15. Sharon says:

    It was very smart of you to store and freeze the okra! This curry soup looks delicious. I just love recipes that have been inherited or handed down. Grandmas ALWAYS make the best food. And sometimes they’re near impossible to replicate, especially if they don’t have specific measurements and use the phrase “add however much FEELS right”.

  17. Anonymous says:

    This is a beautiful and wholesome recipe of okra ananda.Grandma’s always have the best recipe which can be cooked and recooked like fond memories.I think this curry is two in one since it has dal and veggies both.Love it.

  21. Pavithra says:

    Grandmas recipe are always good as anony said.. beautiful and delicious looking curry certainly makes every one drool. This is no exception Ananda… beautifully captured as always.

  25. Ananda Rajashekar says:

    Sharmilee! :) Oh I never had it with roties must give it a try :)
    Sameena Prathap Thanks :)
    Rachana Oh how wonderful :)
    Priya my pleasure :)
    Nandini thanks :)
    EliFla oh wat a pity…you too have a rocking weeks hugs :)
    Umm Mymoonah oh yes they are the best :)
    Foodie if you start trust me u can’t stop thank u :)
    Ushnish Ghosh ha ha isn’t that safe da? thanks for the appreciations. I’m doing PhD in Physics :)
    Treat and Trick oh yes i do always find it so very special thanks :)
    Prathima Rao thanks :)
    Swathi yes indeed they are :)
    MaryMoh omelets sounds so very new looking fwd for the recipe :)
    Pushpa oh thanks :)
    Sharon ha ha, got to make the best use of what is available, their measurements just impossible to implement, if done i’m sure it will end it disaster probability it is the experience that we miss :)
    Smitha thank you :)
    Anonymous absolutely, each time i make this recipe it brings special memories of her and yes you got it right best way to get things together thank you :)
    Kairali oh thank you :)
    Gulmohar wish i had more of hers to share :)
    Suja Sugathan thank you :)
    Pavithra can’t agree any better thank you :)
    Smitha is that so …oh wow i would have it every week too thanks :)
    Chow and Chatter awee that is so cute :)
    My attempt at The Julie/Julia project ha ha yes she does dear, infact she try not to let me into the kitchen but i fight my way in 😀

  26. Sanchita says:

    Okra curry/dal, never had it before but I can imagine it would be delicious. Love the second photo Ananda. BTW, the print quality of the movie was pretty good. I am sure you will find a good quality print too.

  35. Devaki says:

    Dear Ananda – There is nothing better than family recipes and this kolumbu with okra is fantastic.

    I will make it soon and keep u posted :)

    chow! Devaki @ weavethousandflavors

  38. Ananda Rajashekar says:

    Indie.Tea let me know joyti shall send some to you..:P thanks!

    Jay and aipi Thanks :)

    Kulsum@JourneyKitchen originally this recipe is supposed have some meat it in…but we have been sticking on to the vegetarian version….:)

    Devaki that is just so good to hear, would love hear ur feedback :)

    Cucina di Barbara oh thank you :)

    Santosh Bangar thanks :)

  41. Catherine says:

    I’ve never tried Okra, but this looks really delicious and comforting! If it’s inherited from your gran then I’m sure it has been practised and perfected! I know how you feel about the Monday blues, it’s horrible isn’t it! Perfect excuse for comfort food!

  47. Ananda Rajashekar says:

    Fathima thank you :)

    Choclette Oh i should mentioned sliminess, that prior frying of okras in oil as i have mentioned in the method reduces the sliminess, hope that works for you 😛

    Catherine ye sits been practised for ages, tomorrow is already Monday again, sigh! i hate it but my tomorrow comfort food is chick.. slurp 😛 .

    Malar Gandhi thanks :)

    Alessandra oh yes you are right there are so many curry versions with okra, must say i LOVE all of them :)

    Cucina di Barbara oh thank you :)

    Angie’s Recipes thanks :)

    Sanjeeta kk thank you :)

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