Lunch/Dinner Platter and Okra in Coconut Milk curry

I thought of posting a Kerala style lunch/dinner platter for long time. But I always forgot to take the pictures and also it is not quite easy to set all the curries for the photos. However, this time I did it and today I am going to share with you guys the delicious platter. Everywhere platter has its own traditional way of side dishes and the main dish. In Kerala style platter, we usually have rice for our lunch and dinner: Rice with one curry, one thoran (stri-fry), one mezhukkupiratti (fried vegetable) and a non-veg dish..then papad or pickle; sometimes both.Today's Platter has 3 side-dishes, the sides are "Okra curry", "Shrimp fry" and "Koorka mizukkupiratti". This a best combination platter. I already posted the recipes for Shrimp Fry and Kooka mizhukupiratti and I thought of sharing the recipe for okra curry today. Okra is my favorite veggie. So love to have any dish with this delicious veggie. Actually my hus doesn't like its texture. So whenever I prepare any dish with this vegetable, I saute it nicely and then only use it in the dish otherwise it will have the mushy(gummy) texture. He likes this curry because it doesn't have such a gummy texture. Nowadays this is a common in our menu. Hope u guys also try this curry.. It is not so difficult (the only difficult part is the prepartion of coconut milk. if u r using the canned milk then nothing to worry  ..very simple one) Within minutes u can prepare it as a side dish for ur rice, roti or paratha (even with bread).  taste really delicious.. so try it.

OK let me explain the platter in detail
Main Dish: Rice
Here i used the Parboiled rice..This is a type of rice almost similar to our kuthari rice ( in shape) and also taste good and healthy.
Side Dish1: Koorkka Mezhukkupiratti/Chinese Potato Stir Fry

Check here for the recipe

Side Dish 2:Shrimp Fry/Chemmen Pollichathu

Check here for the recipe

Side Dish 3: Okra in Coconut Milk/vendakka curry

Ingredients

Okra:10 nos

Onion: 1/4 portion of a medium size

Green chili: 1 nos

Tomato: 1 no

tamarind: small quantity
Coriander Powder: 1 tsp
Chili powder: 1 tbsp
Turmeric Powder: 1/2 tsp

Diluted/Thin coconut milk: 11/2 cup

concentrated/Thick coconut milk: 1/4 cup

For seasoning

Oil: 1 tsp

Red chili: 1 nos

Curry leaves: 1 sprig

Preparation

Step1:

• Wash the okra and cut each of them into 3 pieces.
• Cut the onion into very small piece .cut the tomato into 8 pieces.cut the green chili into small pieces.
• Soak the tamarind into little hot water.
• Prepare both the concendarated and diluted coconut milk.

Step2:

• Heat oil in a pan.Add the mustard seeds.Once it get started sputtering add the red chili and curry leaves.
• Add the onion green chili ,saute for sometime
• Add the Okra pieces then saute for 5-7 minute or until the okra get well sauted.
• Add the tomatoe pieces into it saute well

Step3: 

• once the tomato get sauted add the salt, turmeric powder ,coriander powder and chili powder along with the tamarind juice and diluted coconut milk.boil the mix until the okra get cooked completely.

Step4:

• Finally add the thick coconut mix and mix well .. just  heat for 1 minute.

The delicious okra curry is ready to have..Have it with rice and other sides.

Cook's Tip

• Dry the okra using the kitchen tissues before cutting them into small pieces
• For making the diluted coconut milk just add some quantity of water.
• If u like u can smash the cooked okra pieces .
• Do not add more tamarind juice. If u added the more tamarind, just add more concendrated coconut milk at the last step (to balance the taste).

Pappad pickle and curd are always a side for the rice.Hope all of you have enjoyed this delicious platter.