Bendakaya Vepudu - Bhindi fry

Bendakaya Vepudu (వేపుడు Telugu) or Bhindi Fry is a very dry curry served with rice or chapathi.  Vepudu in telugu means stir fried or sauteed dry curry which can be made with any vegetable. This is a very kid friendly recipe and cooked almost 2 or 3 times in a week in my house hold. Both Kirthana and Aditya love this and I know most of my friends kids do too.

Preparation time -  20 minutes

Serving - 4

Ingredients

500 gm Bendakaya/ Okra
1/2 Tsp cumin seeds

1/4 Tsp turmeric Powder 

1/2 Tsp salt
1/2 Tsp red chili powder 

3 tsp Oil 

Procedure

1. Wash and dry the okra with a towel. 
2. Cut the okra in to 1/4 - 1/2 inch pieces.   
3. Heat the oil in a non stick pan.
4. Add the cumin seeds and wait till it splutters. 
5. Then add the cut okra and turmeric and stir fry without covering on medium low flame for 8- 10 min. 
6. Make sure to stir gently every 3-4 minutes,
7. I usually add the salt and cover it after its half cooker for about 3 minutes.
8. Remove the cover add the chili powder and stir fry again for about 3-4  minutes  gently frying in between.
9.  The okra should be all cooked, crunchy and dry when done,
10. Transfer to a dish and eat with hot rice and some ghee,

The okra should be tender when you buy for this curry. Frying on medium low flame is important for the okra not to burn. Stir gentle or the okra will become all gooey