Bhendi- Sukkale Sungata- Ambuli (Lady’s Finger- Dry Prawns-Raw Mango) Malvani Masala.

“Bhendi- Sukkale Sungata- Ambuli Malvani Masala ghalnu Randai (Lady’s Finger- Dry Prawns-Raw Mango Malvani Masala)” … A delicious semi dry curry/ side dish that tastes best served with roti/ parathas/ naan/ chapatti … this one is for dry fish lovers, others do excuse … Yummilicious …

** I have written quite a lot about these sun dried prawns in my other posts which you can browse through whenever free. Without running into much details I will just share the recipe for this awesome dish here. However I would like to say that this dish tastes best served with roti/ parathas, naan etc. as it is a dry side dish. You can serve it as side dish with Biryani which also tastes great provided you serve some curd raita along with the same. I have used store bought Malvani Masala powder here, you may use any brand available to you or if it is not available just replace the same amount with some garam masala powder and a little bit of kashmiri red chilly powder. That is the closest I can mention as a substitute to it.

** Here is my simple recipe for “Bhendi- Sukkale Sungata- Ambuli Malvani Masala ghalnu Randai (Lady’s Finger- Dry Prawns-Raw Mango Malvani Masala)” …. My Style …

** Wash about one cup of Sukkale Sungata/ Sun Dried Prawns in water and then soak it in about 2 glass of hot water, cover and keep it aside for about 20 minutes. Drain off all the water and once again rinse the prawns gently in fresh water till you get clear water. Let drain off all excess water and keep it aside ready to be used.

** Wash, wipe dry about 200 gms of fresh Bhendi (Okra/ Lady’s Finger), slice off the top and end edges and then cut them into pieces of about 2.5 inches giving slant horizontal cuts. Cut all bends discarding those that are not good and keep them ready aside. Peel off the skin of one large sized Onion (Piyavu/ Kanda) and slice it finely lengthwise and keep it ready.

** Wash, wipe dry one small sized Ambuli/ Raw Mango/ Kairi). Slice off outer skin as thinly as possible. The slice the edible portions within and cut them into thin strips/ julienne of say about 2 inches in length. Keep the thickness medium as if you cut them too thin they will turn soft and if too thick it will impart more tartness while eating. Keep it ready aside.

** Heat 3 tblsp of Oil/ Tel in a kadai/ pan and add in the onion and fry till translucent. Add ½ inch grated Ginger (Adrak/ Alle’), 4-5 peeled- grated Garlic (Losun/ Lehsun) and continue frying till light brown in color. Now add in 8-10 fresh Curry Leaves (Kadipatta/ Karbevu) and further fry for a second or two till all the ingredients are evenly fried.

** Add 2 tsp of Malvani masala Powder, 1 tsp of Kashmiri Red Chilly Powder (Mirsange Pitti/ Thikkat), ½ tsp of Goda Masala (Garam Masala) Powder, 1 tsp of Dhania Powder (Coriander/ Kottambari), ½ tsp Jeera (Cumin) Powder, large pinch of Haldi (Turmeric) Powder and fry all together for a few minutes, sprinkling water if necessary to avoid getting burnt.

** Add in the prepared and kept bhendi, Salt (Namak/ Meeta) to taste and mix well, sprinkle some water, cover, and let cook on low heat till its 70% cooked. Do stir in a few times and sprinkle water if necessary, but do not add in more of water or the bhendi will not retain crispness and will turn soggy which is not pleasant to eat.

** Add raw mango strips, mix well, cover and cook for 2-3 minutes then add dried prawns, mix well, sprinkle water if necessary, cover and cook until all the ingredients have been cooked to about 90%. Now raise the heat to maximum and cook on open stirring them well, to avoid getting burnt just for 2-3 minutes. Remove and keep it aside covered for 10 minutes.

** “Bhendi- Sukkale Sungata- Ambuli Malvani Masala ghalnu Randai (Lady’s Finger- Dry Prawns-Raw Mango Malvani Masala)” is done and ready to be served. In my personal opinion this dish tastes best served with roti/ chapti/ naan/ parathas/ panpolo though if you wish you can serve it with Biryani/ Pulav/ any spiced rice dishes or with dalitoy and rice.

** There are many more both vegetarian as well as Non-vegetarian dishes in the blog, which you may browse through in leisure and try them out whenever you find it convenient. They are tasty and tried and tested and even prepared to date in my kitchen. Do enjoy good home cooked food with family and friends and if tried please do give me a feedback if possible.