Bhenda Chakko (Lady's Finger/ Okra Dry Masala Curry).

"Bhenda Chakko (Lady's Finger/ Okra Dry Masala Curry)" ... chakko is a delicious side dish from GSB Konkani Saraswat Cuisine prepared largely using kadgi/ tender raw jackfruit, however I have tried my own variations with other veggies and they all have a unique taste of their own ... here is the one I prepared with bhendi (lady's finger/ okra), try it, tastes best served with dalitoy (spiced dal)- sheetHa (rice) or chapati/ roti or even dosa ... Yummilicious ...

** Chakko is a semi-dry curry dish that is a common dish prepared in saraswat homes usually with tender raw jackfruit when in season, that is the very reason why most of the people when referred to chakko visualize it with jackfruit side dish. However chakko can be easily prepared with a few other veggies too which adapts to the masal very well imparting its own flavor, one of them being lady's finger/ bhenda/ bhindi.

** Bhendi is available all round the year and I prepare behnda chakko often as in my home we love this side dish served with dalitoy- rice for lunch and with roti for dinner. I even prepare it in excess to serve with panpolo/ neer dosa the next day for breakfast. The recipe remains the same as of other chakko that's already shared elsewhere in the Blog. Do try this delicious side dish and enjoy with your family and friends.

** Here is my simple method of preparing "Bhenda Chakko (Lady's Finger/ Okra Dry Masala Curry)" ... My Style ...

** Wash and pat dry about 500 gms of lady's finger/ bhendi/ okra. Slice off the edges and cut them into pieces of say approximate 3 inches horizontally and then into 4 pieces vertically as shown in picture. Keep them ready aside.

** For masala to be Ground : Heat 1 tsp oil (tela/ tel) in a small pan, when hot add in 1-1/2 tsp urad dal (Black gram dal without skin) and fry till the colour changes slightly, now add in about 2-1/2 tsp of coriander seeds (kothimbir/ dhania) and continue to fry for a minute or two till the color changes. Lastly add 5-7 Kashmiri Red chillies (Kumte mirsanga/ Byadgi Mirchi) and fry all together for another 2 minutes.

** Note : If desired you can add ¼ tsp of methi (fenugreek) seeds too while frying urad dal and coriander seeds for the masala, I have not.

** Add the fried ingredients into a mixer grinder along with one cup of freshly grated coconut (soyi/ nariyal) and a small marble sized piece of tamarind (chinchama/ imly). Grind all to paste of semi fine texture with little bit of water. Remove and keep this ready aside. Remember to not make the masala thin textured as this is a semi dry curry and you can always add water if required later.

** Note : You can add veggie like ambado (hogplum), bimbul (tree sorrel fruit) or karmbal (star fruit) for the curry in which case do not add tamarind while grinding the masala. Just add when ingredients are half cooked and rest method is same. You can check out other recipes where ambado is added for the procedure. 

** Heat 1 tblsp oil (tel/ tela) in a thick bottomed kadai, add in the prepared and kept cut bhendi pieces, mix well and fry on high heat for a minute. Now lower the heat, cover and cook mixing in between a few times to avoid it getting stuck to the bottom. When 80% cooked and done add ground masala, salt (namak/ meeta) to taste, mix well, cover and let cook on low heat while we prepare seasoning.

** For Tempering/ Seasoning/ Tadka/ Pannaka : Heat 1 tblsp oil (tel/ tela) in a small pan, add mustard seeds (rai/ sasam), when they begin to splutter add 8-10 fresh curry leaves (kadipatta/ karbevu) and fry for a minute. Remove and pour over the chakko and mix well. Cook for another few minutes mixing it in between till all the ingredients are done well and thoroughly cooked. Remove from fire when done and keep it aside covered for 10-15 minutes for the flavors to infused well.

** "Bhenda Chakko (Lady's Finger/ Okra Dry Masala Curry)" is done and ready to be served. In most of the saraswat homes it is served hot as a side dish with dalitoy (spiced dal) and sheetHa (rice) though you can serve it with roti/ chapati/ parathas or Dosas too as this is one side dish that tastes great served any way. Try this delicious side dish curry and enjoy with your family and friends.

** There are many more "Chakko" recipes both traditional with kadgi/ raw jackfruit and other veggies shared in the Blog which you can browse through using search or label option. Do try out various options in your kitchen and enjoy with your family. Remember home cooked food is the healthiest and best gift you can give to your family.