Bendakaya-Soya Chunks Pulusu (Okra-Soya Chunks in Spicy Sauce)

I was wondering how soya chunks would taste in a tamarind sauce. After some thought, decided to combine okra & soya chunks. I was happy with the result! The soya chunks absorbed the spicy sauce - they were chewy & juicy! This sauce variety is good with rice.

Ingredients

Bhindi - 12 (wash, dry & cut into 1 1/2 " pieces)

Soya chunks - 12 (soak in warm salted water for 10 mins. wash & squeeze water)

1 big onion, thinly sliced and halved

1 big tomato, roughly chopped

2 tbsp tamarind pulp

Turmeric - 1/2 tsp
Salt to taste

Red chillie powder (Paprika) - 1 tsp
Sambar powder - 1 tsp
Fennel seed powder - 1 tsp
Green chillies - 4, slit lengthwise
Cilantro (Coriander) leaves - 2 tbsp, finely chopped

Oil - 2 tbsp

Water - 3 cups

For seasoning:

Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
Cloves (lavang) - 3, crushed
Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp

Dried red chillie - 2, tear and deseed
Garlic - 3 cloves, minced
Curry leaves - sprig

Method

1. Heat oil in a saucepan, do the seasoning - starting with mustard seeds. When they crackle, toss in cloves, cumin seeds, red chillie, garlic & curry leaves
2. Immediately add onion, saute just until tender
3. Add in tomato pieces, salt & turmeric. Mix, cover & cook until tomatoes soften
4. Add 3 cups water, tamarind pulp, green chillies. Toss in cut bhindi & soya chunks
5. Let boil until bhindi softens, stir in red chillie, sambar and fennel seed powders.
6. Boil for 10 minutes, turn the heat off & sprinkle chopped coriander leaves