MEAT AND LADYFINGERS (OKRA) CURRY / ANGLO-INDIAN BANDYCOY CURRY

MEAT AND LADYFINGERS (OKRA) CURRY / ANGLO-INDIAN BANDYCOY CURRY 

Anglo-Indian Cuisine over the centuries took on many regional influences and a lot of local ingredients were added depending on the region. Many local words were incorporated in their conversations and new names were given for almost everything depending on how they were able to pronounce the vernacular words. One example would be The Tamil and other South Indian word ‘KAI’ meaning ‘vegetable’ which eventually became ‘Coy’ in English. Vegetables such as ‘BANDICOY’ for lady fingers / Okra”’ from the Tamil Word ‘Vendaikai, or the Kannada word ‘Bendaykai, etc, became part and parcel of Anglo-Indian Cuisine 

Ingredients

½ kg beef or mutton / lamb cut into medium size pieces

½ kg tender Ladyfinger / Okra / Bandycoy 

2 onions chopped finely

1 teaspoon ginger garlic paste

2 teaspoons mild chillie powder

1 teaspoon coriander powder

1/2 teaspoon cumin powder 

2 medium size tomatoes chopped

1/2 cup coconut paste or coconut milk 

2 tablespoons oil

Salt to taste

Wipe the lady’s finger / okras with a dry cloth then cut them into 2 inch pieces. Discard the ends. 

Boil the meat with sufficient water and a little salt till tender. 

Heat oil in a pan and add the onions and fry till golden brown. Add the tomatoes, chillie powder, salt, coriander powder, cumin powder and ginger garlic paste and sauté for a few minutes till the tomatoes turn pulpy and the oil separates from the mixture.

Add the coconut paste or coconut milk and stir fry for 2 or 3 minutes.

Now add the lady’s fingers / okra and the boiled meat and mix well. Add the left over meat stock / soup or 1 cup of water and cook on low heat till the lady’s fingers / okras are just cooked, taking care not to overcook them. 

Serve as a main curry with rice.

MEAT AND LADY FINGER (OKRA) CURRY

 MEAT AND LADY'S FINGER (OKRA) CURRY also known as BANDY COI AND MEAT CURRY.
This is an old time favourite - Meat and Lady's Finger Curry. In the olden days, lady fingers or okra was known as Bandy Coy by the previous generation. It came from the Tamil name Vendakai or Bendakai. Tastes yummy with steamed white rice and a dash of Brinjal Pickle. 

Serves 6     Preparation Time 45 minutes

Ingredients
½ kg Meat either beef / mutton / lamb cut into medium size pieces
½ kg tender Lady's fingers / Okra 
2 onions chopped finely
1 teaspoon ginger garlic paste
2 teaspoons chillie powder
1 teaspoon coriander powder
2 medium size tomatoes chopped
2 tablespoons coconut paste or 3 tablespoons coconut milk 
2 tablespoons oil
Salt to taste
Wipe the lady’s fingers / okras with a dry cloth then cut them into 2 inch pieces. Discard the ends. 
Boil the meat with sufficient water and a little salt till tender. Retain the soup / stock. 
Heat oil in a pan and add the onions and fry till golden brown. Add the tomatoes, chillie powder, salt, coriander powder and ginger garlic paste and sauté for a few minutes. Now add the boiled meat and coconut paste / coconut milk and mix well. 
Add the left over meat stock / soup or 1 cup of water and simmer on low heat for about 7 to 10 minutes till the meat absorbs the flavours and the gravy is the required consistency. 
Now add the lady’s fingers / okras are cook for just 3 more minutes on medium heat till the lady’s fingers / okra are just cooked and still crunchy, taking care not to overcook them. Serve as a main curry with rice.