Crispy Vendakka Fry | Okra Fries | Crispy Ladys Finger Fry

These fried crispy lady's finger pieces makes a great combo with rice and sambar, rasam rice, curd rice etc. Instead of making the usual poriyal try this some day for your lunch time. I have used rice flour which gives a nice crispy texture. This is one of our family's favorite and gets over in seconds. You can experiment with different flavors and make it either spicy or subtle, depends on how your taste-buds demand them! 

INGREDIENTS

Makes side-dish for 3 people 
Total Preparation Time - 25 minutes 

1. Vendakka - 300 grams 
2. Rice flour - half cup 
3. Salt - 3/4 teaspoon
4. Chat masala - 1/8 teaspoon (just for flavor; optional) 
5. Cumin powder - 2 teaspoons 
6. Pepper powder (or) Red chilli powder - 1 teaspoon
7. Oil - For shallow frying 

PREPARATION METHOD

• Take ladys finger and wipe off with a wet cloth or tissue paper. You can also wash it and then wipe with a towel. Then chop off the head and discard them. 

• Cut into one inch long pieces and set aside. 

• Take a bowl add rice flour, salt, pepper powder, cumin powder chat masala and mix well. Chat masala already has salt content in it so add accordingly. 

• Now add the chopped vendakka to the flour mix and toss well. Then sprinkle some water (about 1/4 cup) and toss again. The flour will adhere to the pieces as shown in the pic. Do not pour too much water, you just need to make it wet. 

• Now place a pan on flame and pour enough oil to deep/shallow fry the pieces. 

• After the oil heats up, gently slide sown the pieces into hot oil and fry them on low flame until they turn brown and crispy. Do not fry on high flame as the pieces will get cooked outside but will remain raw inside. Ladys finger needs time to get cooked so stay patient beside the pan and wait for it until it gets done. 

• Once the pieces seem brown and crispy, remove from oil using a slotted ladle. Fry the next batch similarly. 
• Serve!! 

TIP 1: I wash and wipe lady's finger and then store them in refrigerators, then when using I just wipe them again, this will make chopping and cooking with lady's finger easier. Also lady's finger has a very sticky texture and if you wash them just before chopping it will become very sticky, this will make chopping and even cooking a messy job. 

TIP 2: Adding red chilli powder gives a different flavor you can use pepper powder or red chilli powder as per your wish. 

TIP 3: The matured ones are very fibrous so use the tender ladys finger.