Vendakkai Kichadi is a delectable and traditional dish often served as part of the Vishu Sadya in Kerala. Vishu, marking the Malayalam New Year, is celebrated with much fanfare, and the Sadya (feast) is a significant aspect of the festivities. The Sadya features a plethora of vegetarian dishes, each with its unique taste and preparation style, served on a banana leaf. Vendakkai Kichadi, made from okra (vendakkai) and coconut-yogurt gravy, is a beloved side dish for its perfect balance of creaminess and crunch, along with its subtle spices that enhance the flavors.

Delicious vendakkai ( Lady fingers ) kitchadi / Pachadi is yet nother yummy side dish served during Sadya for Onam and Vishu . It is one of the many pachadi varieties served in the plantain leaf during Sadya .

Ingredients :

5 to 25 ladys fingers / okras
3 tbsp coconut oil to shallow fry ladies fingers
1 cup thick smooth curd
salt to taste

To grind:

5 tbsp coconut
3 green chillies
1/2 tsp mustard seeds
1/2 tsp cumin seeds
grind all above to a smooth thick paste .

Method:

1. Chop all ladies fingers after washing and wiping them, dry well .
   Take a bowl, add the ladies fingers to it, add turmeric powder and salt , and toss in bowl so that all the ladies fingers are well coated .

2. Allow to rest for 10 minutes.

3. Take a pan or a kadai, add 3 tbsp coconut oil .

4. Add the ladies fingers from the bowl into the hot pan, and shallow fry till they are nice and crisp, but not burnt .

5. This will take few minutes, keep flame very low and make sure to toss the ladies fingers well so that they also cook uniformly .

6. When they are cooked, add the ground coconut paste along with the thick smooth whisked curd, now reduce flame .

7. Do not over cook after adding coconut mixture, switch off as soon as they seem to come to a boil , immediately remove .

8. Add tempering of coconut oil , mustard seeds ,split udad dal ,
   red chillies, curry leaves . as shown in the video .

9. Pour this tempering over the prepared ladies fingers pachadi /khichdi ( as called in some parts of Kerala )

10. Serve this in the Sadya lunch during Onam , Vishu , can also enjoy on other days too .😁