Okra in a spicy sauce / Bendekayi Gojju / ಬೆಂಡೆಕಾಯಿ ಗೊಜ್ಜು

Here is a recipe for making Gojju. I use green chillies to spice it up and add coriander leaves to give a nice color. I have used okra / bendekai , you can also use brinjal, kohl rabi, spring onions, chayote squash to make this gojju.

Servings: This recipe makes about 2 quarts/2 litres of Gojju (6 - 8 servings)

Ingredients:

½ kg or 1 pound /Lady's Finger / Okra / ಬೆಂಡೆಕಾಯಿ
Salt / ಉಪ್ಪು to taste
½ tsp Turmeric /ಅರಿಶಿನ
1 tbsp Tamarind paste /ಹುಣಿಸೇಹಣ್ಣು ರಸ

Masala to be ground / ಮಸಾಲೆ ತಿರುವಿಕೊಳ್ಳಿ
3 tbsp Chana Dal / ಕಡಲೆಬೇಳೆ (dry roast)
1 tbsp Urad Dal / ಉದ್ದಿನಬೇಳೆ (dry roast)
1 tbsp Sesame seeds / ಬಿಳಿ ಎಳ್ಳು (dry roast)
5-7 Green chillies / ಹಸಿರುಮೆಣಸಿನಕಾಯಿ (dry roast)
few sprigs Coriander leaves / ಕೊತ್ತಂಬರಿ ಸೊಪ್ಪು
1/2 cup Grated Coconut /ಕಾಯಿ ತುರಿ / ಕೊಬ್ಬರಿ
small piece Jaggery /ಬೆಲ್ಲ OR 1 tbsp sugar /ಸಕ್ಕರೆ

Seasoning / ಒಗ್ಗರಣೆ
2 tbsp Oil / ಎಣ್ಣೆ, Mustard seeds /ಸಾಸಿವೆ, Asafoetida/ Hing / ಇಂಗು, Dry red Chilli / ವಣ ಮೆಣಸಿನಕಾಯಿ

Method:

Wash the okra and wipe it dry. Cut them into half inch pieces.

Take a thick bottom pan, add 2 tbsp oil, when it heats up add hing, mustard seeds and dry red chillies. Your seasoning is ready. Now add cut okra pieces to this and stir fry it. Keep the heat on medium. Continuously stir the okra. Add more oil as needed. After 2 minutes add salt, turmeric and tamarind paste. The tamarind helps remove all the gooeyness. Add about half cup water, this helps okra cook faster. Stir for 10-15 minutes or till the okra is done.

In the meantime, take a small pan add chana dal, urad dal, sesame seeds and cut green chillies. Dry roast them for 5 minutes or till you get a nice aroma. Transfer into a blender. Along with this add grated coconut, coriander leaves, jaggery or sugar and grind it into a paste with enough water. Then pour this paste into the cooked okra.

You can add more water to make it into desired consistency. Stir and bring it to a boil. Switch off the stove. Gojju is ready. You can serve this with rice and rasam, chapathi.

Another way to make Gojju with different spices