Bhenda Kolmbo / Lady's Finger Sambar.

Lady's Finger is called Bhenda and Sambar is called Kolmbo in Konkani.The following ingredients are needed to prepare Bhenda Kolmbo/ Lady's Finger Sambar.

Ingredients:-

Lady's Finger / Bhenda - 8
Tomato.                         -2 small
Tamarind.                      - a Gooseberry size
Sambar Powder.            - 4tsp
Shallots.                         - 5
Salt.                                - to taste
Coriander leaves.           -few chopped.


For grinding:-

Grated Coconut. -1/2 cup
Shallots.             -2
Cumin seeds.     -1/2tsp

For seasoning :-

Cooking oil.      -1tbsp
Mustard seeds.-1tsp
Methi seeds.    -1/4tsp
Curry leaves.   - 1spring

For Sambar powder:-

Tur dal.                -1tbsp
Urad dal.              -1tbsp
Coriander seeds. -2tbsp
Red chillies.         - 6
Pepper Corn.       -1/2 tsp
Cumin seeds.       -1/2 tsp
Turmeric powder.  -1/4tsp
Hing powder.         -1/4tsp


Instructions:-

To prepare Sambar Powder:-

Dry roast Tur dal, Urad dal, Coriander seeds, Red chillies, Pepper Corns and Cumin seeds seperately and keep them on a large plate. When little cooled add Turmeric powder and Hing powder and mix with all the roasted ingredients.Grind all the ingredients together to a fine powder.Store the Sambar powder in a clean and dry glass bottle.

Wash and chop Bhenda (Lady's finger) into 1inch lengthy round pieces. Heat 1tsp oil in a pan and roast the chopped Bhenda in oil till little golden on all sides and keep aside.

Peel and chop Shallots and keep aside.

Wash and chop Tomatoes into small pieces and keep aside.

Soak Tamarind in little water and extract Tamarind Juice and keep aside.

Grind the grated coconut, Cumin seeds and 2 chopped Shallots to a smooth paste adding little water and keep aside.


Method:-

Heat 1tbsp oil in a cooking pan and splutter Mustard seeds and saute well. Add Fenugreek seeds and Curry leaves and saute well.

Add chopped Shallots and fry well till the Shallots become golden colour.

Add the chopped Tomatoes and saute well till the Tomato pieces become mushy.

Add Tamarind juice, required Salt and mix well.

Add  4tsp Sambar Powder and 2cup of water. Mix well without lumps and boil for 5 minutes on low flame.

Add the roasted Bhenda. Mix well and boil again for 2 minutes.

Add the ground Coconut paste and 1/2cup of water and mix well. Boil till the gravy becomes little thick and switch off the flame .

Add few chopped Coriander leaves and mix well.

Bhenda Kolmbo / Lady's Finger Sambar is ready to serve with Rice.