Bhendi Sambar/Bhindi Sambar/Okra Sambar

Bhendi Sambar

Ingredients:

10-15 Okra/Bhendi chopped into medium size pieces. Approx 2-3 off each
3 TSP Sambar Masala
Salt to taste
1 cup of Cooked Toor Daal/ Arhar ki Daal
1.5-2 cups water
3/4th to 1 TSP Tamerind paste/extract  or to taste
2 TSP Jaggery or to taste
2 TSP oil
Curry leaves
Mustard seeds
Asafoetida(Hing) 
1/4 TSP Turmeric powder


Procedure:

• Pour oil in a pan and let it heat up. Once heated add Mustard seeds,Curry leaves,Asafoetida(Hing).
• Add chopped Bhendi/Okra pieces.(Before chopping the Okra, make sure it is not wet, it should be perfectly dry so that it won't become sticky while cooking.)

• Add Turmeric powder. Stir once.
• Cook for 5-7 minutes. You will see them soften up little bit.
• Add water, Sambar masala,Jaggery.
• Let the mixture come to proper boil.
• Add cooked daal to it.  
• Add salt.
• Cook for 5-10 minutes. Taste and add Tamerind/Jaggery/Salt as per your taste. Also, quantity of water depends on how thick or watery consistency you want.
• Garnish with chopped coriander leaves.
• Serve hot with hot Steamed rice.

Health benefits of Okra:

superior fiber content which helps to stabilize the blood sugar by curbing the rate at which sugar is absorbed from the intestinal tract.It helps to neutralize acids, being very alkaline, and provides a temporary protective coating for the digestive tract.Good for constipation,Good in normalizing the blood sugar and cholesterol level.Okra's vitamin C is an antioxidant.

Okra is good for preventing diabetes.