Vendakkai Rice or Okra Rice is a traditional South Indian dish with okra as its main ingredient. The okra rice recipe is known for its flavours, aromatic spices, and the distinct texture of okra, which adds a delightful crunch to the rice. It’s a perfect meal for both lunch and dinner and is loved for its simplicity and delicious taste.
South Indian-style Vendakkai Rice is an easy vegetarian lunchbox recipe that uses okra. This Vendakkai Sadam tastes so good with a simple vegetable stir fry on the side and some Papad or Chips.
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I am a huge fan of Rice Varieties. I can have rice for all three meals in a day. While even a simple rasam rice is enough to make my day better, I often try various rice recipes to keep it interesting.
When I saw a few okras lying in my refrigerator, I wanted to try making something different from my usual recipes, and that’s how I came up with this Vendakkai Rice. If you are a Ladies Finger fan like me, try my Bhindi Masala recipe. I am sure you will love it!
Mixed rice varieties are pretty popular in South India. Back when I was in school, I remember my mom packing different rice recipes like Tomato Rice , Coconut Milk Rice, Brinjal Rice etc in my lunchbox. With no fancy ingredients, these variety rice recipes would consist of just a vegetable cooked with some freshly made spice powder for flavour and taste. Easy to make on a busy day, keeps the stomach full and tastes so good!
That’s exactly how this Vendakkai Rice is. It makes a great meal or lunch with not much effort!
Why I love this Vendakkai Rice recipe
This okra rice is a beginner-friendly recipe. It can be made in less than 30 minutes.
This Ladies finger rice is perfect for the lunchbox, a quick weekday meal, or as travel food.
Okra rice is a kid-friendly recipe. It’s the perfect way to sneak in lady finger if your kids are not a great fan of the vegetable.
This vendakkai rice is a flavourful recipe made using simple spices from the pantry!
You can also make this rice recipe with leftover rice. It’s a great way to use leftover rice and save time.
Vendakkai Rice can be enjoyed on its own or paired with yogurt, raita, or a side of pickles.
How to make this easy Vendakkai Rice
Wash the basmati rice or Sona Masoori raw rice and cook it with 2 cups of water. Once cooked, allow it to cool.
In a pan, heat oil and add mustard seeds. Once they splutter, add urad dal, chana dal and curry leaves.
Add chopped onions and sauté until the colour slightly changes. Then, add the garlic and cook for a minute.
Add the sliced okra, salt and cook until they turn slightly tender.
Add turmeric powder, red chili powder, and coriander powder. Mix well and cook till the okras are well cooked.
Finally, add the cooked rice to the mixture and gently mix until the rice is well coated with the spices.
Garnish the okra rice with fresh coriander leaves.
Tips & Suggestions to make the best okra rice recipe
- Fresh Okra: Opt for fresh, tender okra for the best results.
- Prevent Stickiness: To prevent the okra from becoming sticky, ensure that it is completely dry before slicing it.
- Variations: You can add grated coconut or cashew nuts, peanuts for added flavor and crunch.
- Spice Level: Adjust the amount of red chilli powder according to your preferred spice level.
Serving Suggestions
Indian style Okra Rice is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed in various ways:
- Serve it with a side of yogurt or raita to balance the flavors.
- Pair it with papad or crispy fried vegetables for a delightful crunch. Try my Seppankizhangu Roast, Dry Aloo Matar, Potato Podimas, Beans Paruppusili and Kovakkai Poriyal as a side dish.
- Enjoy it with a side of tangy pickle for an extra kick of flavour.
Other Rice Recipes you may like
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Vendakkai Rice | Easy Okra Rice Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup Raw Rice
- 2 cups Water to cook the rice
- 3 cups Vendakkai / Okra chopped
- 1 Onion
- 3 cloves Garlic
- Salt as needed
- ¼ teaspoon Turmeric Powder
- ½ teaspoon Coriander Powder
- 1 teaspoon Red Chilli Powder
For tempering
- 1 tablespoon Oil
- 1 teaspoon Mustard Seeds
- 1 teaspoon Chana Dal
- 1 teaspoon Urad Dal
- Curry Leaves handful
Instructions
Cook the rice
- Rinse 1 cup raw rice in water. Transfer to a pressure cooker and add 2 cups of water. Cook on a medium flame for 3 whistles.
- Once the rice is cooked, ensure it cools down completely to room temperature before using it in the Vendakkai Rice recipe.
Make the Okra Rice
- Chop Vendakkai /Okras into medium size pieces and keep them ready.
- In a pan, add oil. Once hot, add 1 teaspoon mustard seeds. Once it splutters, add 1 teaspoon urad dal, 1 teaspoon chana dal, a handful of curry leaves.
- Add chopped onions and sauté until the colour slightly changes. Then, add the garlic and cook for a minute.
- Add the okras, salt and cook for 5 minutes. Add turmeric powder, red chilli powder, coriander powder. Let it combine well with the okras.
- Cook on a medium flame till okras are well cooked.
- Add the cooked rice. Mix well without breaking the rice or okra pieces. Switch off the flame.
- Garnish with coriander leaves and serve the vendakkai rice with your choice of side dish.
Notes
rice : water ratio and requires 3 whistles to cook. Please adjust according to the type of rice you use. The rice must turn out fluffy. You can use basmati Rice. You can make this okra rice with leftover rice as well. Ensure the rice is at room temperature before using it. Otherwise, the rice may turn mushy or it may break when added to the okra. Adjust the amount of red chilli powder according to your taste and spice level. Add cashewnuts or peanuts while tempering, if preferred.