Bhindi Kadhi (Fried okra in Yogurt gravy)

                                              This is a North Indian version of  Moru kachiyathu. 

Ingredients:
Bhindi/ okra                                      -                    20 no.
Yogurt(sour), beaten                         -                    1 cup
Besan/ Gram flour                            -                    1 ½ Tbsp.
Turmeric powder                              -                    ½ tsp.
Red Chilli powder                             -                    ½ tsp.
Water                                                  -                   1½ to 2 cup
Oil                                                     -                    2 Tbsp.
Mustard seeds                                   -                    ½ tsp.
Fenugreek seeds                                -                    ¼ tsp.
Dry red chillies                                 -                     2
Asafoetida                                         -                     a pinch
Curry leaves                                      -                    1 sprig
Green chilies                                     -                    2
Ginger, grated                                   -                    ½ tsp.
Cumin seeds                                      -                    ½ tsp.
Coriander leaves                               -                   1 Tbsp.
Salt to taste

Method:

1. Wash and dry the okra. Chop them into 1" pieces.
2. Heat oil in 3 tsp. of oil in a  pan &  add the chopped okra and little salt & saute for 5 minutes(until done).
3. In a big bowl combine the gram flour with little water to form a smooth batter.  Add the beaten yogurt,water, turmeric powder, chili powder  and salt. Combine well.
4. Heat remaining amount of oil in  a deep bottom pan, splutter mustard seeds, cumin seeds, dry red chilli, green chilies, ginger, curry leaves, asafoetida and fenugreek seeds. Saute  for few minutes (do not burn). Lower the flame and add the  yogurt mixture & mix well.
5. Cook for 5 minutes, keep stirring, add the fried okra. Cook for 5 more minutes(make sure it does not boil). Garnish with coriander leaves & remove from flame & serve hot with rice.

Achinga Payar Thoran (Long beans stir fry)

                           I used to know this as payar, I didn't know it was also called  achinga payar. I prefer to use dry red chilli instead of green chilli as I find it hard to distinguish between the payar & the green chilli. I know it's childish & yes, I do the same for all the thoran dishes with green vegetables.

Ingredients:
Long beans/achinga, chopped finely                   -                 250 g.
Mustard seeds                                                      -                  ½ tsp.
Urad dal                                                                -                  ½ tsp.
Curry leaves                                                         -                  few sprigs
Shallots, sliced                                                     -                  5 or 6 no.
Dry red chilli                                                        -                  3 no.
Grated Coconut                                                    -                  ½ cup
Turmeric Powder                                                  -                 ¼ tsp.
Cumin Seeds                                                         -                 ¼ tsp.
Oil(pref. coconut)                                                 -                  1 Tbsp.
Salt  to taste

Method:

1. Coarsely grind ½ cup of coconut, ¼ tsp. cumin seeds & ¼ tsp. of turmeric powder(you can also crush it using mortar & pestle).
2. Heat oil in pan, splutter mustard seeds, add the urad dal. dry red chilli, curry leaves & sliced shallots. Saute for a minute or two.
3. Add the ground coconut mixture and saute well for a couple of minutes & add the chopped achinga payar & required amount of salt & combine well.
4. Cover with a lid & cook on medium low flame for about 10 minutes or until the beans become soft(Make sure to stir in between). 
5. Once the beans has become soft open & cook for  few minutes, until the dish becomes dry. Remove from flame & serve with rice.