Okra Kootu | Vendakkai Kootu (South Indian Okra Curry with Yogurt)
Creamy and flavorful okra kootu (vendakkai kootu) made with okra, chickpeas, yogurt, and coconut masala. A perfect South Indian okra curry recipe for rice.
Servings: 6
Calories: 130kcal
Ingredients
Measurement Details: 1 cup = 240ml; 1 tbsp = 15ml; 1 tsp = 5ml;
For the coconut masala:
- 4 dried red chilies
- ½ cup coconut
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
For the yogurt mix:
- ½ cup yogurt
- ½ tbsp besan
- ¾ cup water
To temper:
- 2 tsp coconut oil
- ½ tsp mustard seeds
- ½ tsp urad dal
- ½ tsp chana dal
- ⅛ tsp asafoetida
- 5 curry leaves
For the curry:
- 5 to 6 shallots chopped (or ½ cup finely chopped onion)
- 300 g okra trimmed and chopped
- ¼ tsp turmeric powder
- 1¼ tsp salt (or to taste)
- ¼ cup dried chickpeas
- 2 tbsp cilantro finely chopped
Instructions
- Soak the dried chickpeas overnight, then pressure-cook with ¾ cup water for 3 whistles. Drain and set aside.
- Grind coconut, cumin seeds, and dried red chilies into a coarse paste without adding water. Set aside.
- Heat coconut oil in a pan. Add mustard seeds, urad dal, chana dal, and asafoetida. When the mustard splutters, add curry leaves and shallots. Sauté until onions turn soft.
- Add chopped okra and cook uncovered for about 5 minutes on low heat, stirring every minute or two.
- Add turmeric, salt, and the ground masala. Mix well and cook for another 3 minutes.
- Whisk yogurt and besan together. Add the cooked chickpeas, the yogurt mixture, and ¾ cup water (use the water to rinse the mixer jar). Lower the heat and simmer for 5–6 minutes on low.
- Finish with chopped cilantro and simmer for 2 more minutes. Serve hot with rice.
Notes
- You can use any beans of your choice instead of black chickpeas. Canned beans work well too.
- Shallots bring the best flavor, but red onions are a fine substitute.
- Always use tender okra for best results.
- Adjust salt and spice to taste — reduce dried red chilies or replace part with whole pepper for variation.
Nutrition
Calories: 130kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 509mg | Potassium: 460mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 715IU | Vitamin C: 74mg | Calcium: 98mg | Iron: 2mg