Vendakkai/Okra/Ladies Finger Clear Soup

It’s one of the tastiest soups I’ve ever had, I tasted it in a restaurant recently and I tried at home. It turned out very well.

My kids loved it and gave a thumbs up 👍😀

and my younger one suggested that I cook Vendakkai/வெண்டைக்காய் soup often 😉

 Wash and drain the water from Vendakkai/Ladies Finger/Okra and let it dry in a towel for an hour or two.  Also cut Ladies finger using dry board, to avoid stickiness. It will help get rid of excess stickiness.

Ingredients:

வெண்டைக்காய்/Okra/Ladies Finger  -  20 to 25

Garlic cloves/பூண்டு (finely chopped) - 3

Big onion/பெரிய வெங்காயம்(medium sized- finely chopped) - 1

Tomato/தக்காளி - 1/2 (no need more 1/2 to 1 should be enough)

Turmeric Powder - 1/4 tsp.

Water - 4 to 5 Cups

Tempering:

Ghee/ Clarified Butter/நெய் - 1 tsp.

Whole Black Pepper/மிளகு - 1/2 tsp. (coarsely crushed)

Cumin seeds/சீரகம் - 1/4 tsp.

Fennel seeds/ சோம்பு - 1/4 tsp.

Green Chilli/ பச்சை மிளகாய் - 1

Curry leaves/கரிவேப்பிலை - few

Fresh Coriander leaves/மல்லி தழை - to garnish

Method:

In a pot pour ghee and add the tempering ingredients, cumin, fennel, crushed pepper, Chilli and curry leaves, then add garlic and onion, sauté for couple of minutes. Add tomato and cook for one minute.

Now stir in the chopped ladies finger and turmeric powder, sauté for few minutes. Add salt and 4 to 5 Cups of water. 

Let it boil for few minutes, cook until Vendakkai/Ladies Finger is cooked well, don’t let it become mushy.

Vendakkai/Ladies Finger/ Okra is a Brain food, which is very good for young/growing children. Include Vendakkai/Ladies Finger, in your meals as often as possible.

This soup is very mild, it can be given for toddlers as well 👶🏻

Tips,tips,tips...

Always do the tempering/seasoning with ghee instead of oil, for soups. It gives a wonderful flavor and also good for digestion.