This recipe for okra is a nutritious dish that has flavours of tomatoes, onions, and garlic. You can be assured that these vegetables will be tasty. Serve fresh okra and tomatoes from the garden in the summer, and in the off-season, use canned and frozen items. This is a simple and inexpensive recipe that can be enjoyed all year long when served with a side of chapati!
This recipe is quick to prepare and is flavorful enough for a weekday meal. Additionally, it freezes wonderfully for lunch the next day.
What is Okra?
Okra is a seed pod that is edible, much like peppers. Unlike the smooth, shiny skin of a pepper, the surface of the pod feels almost hairy and rough. Okra is a common ingredient in Southern cooking and grows abundantly there, but it is also found in many other cuisines around the world, particularly those from Africa and South Asia. Okra was brought to America from West Africa as food during the time of the slave trade. African chefs brought it into Southern cuisine.
What is the flavour of okra?
Okra is a favourite among many people because it gives stews and soups more body. When boiled, okra transforms into mucilaginous (or "slimy") food that is essential to dishes like gumbo. (Okra and gumbo are both derived from African terms.) Okra is also highly beneficial to your health. It's a terrific side dish or ingredient if you're trying to eat a little healthier because it has a lot of fibre and a good amount of potassium and vitamin C.
Note:
When buying okra, pick out the smaller, more delicate pods, which should be no more than 3 to 4 inches and yet feel solid when raw.
Ingredients:
~Okra/Ladyfinger 500gm
~Oil 1/3 cup
~Onions 4 (Medium Sized)
~Tomatoes 3 (large)
~Ginger garlic paste 1 tbsp
~Red chili powder 1¹/² tsp
~Turmeric powder 1/2 tsp
~Coriander powder 1 tsp
~Crushed red chili 1tsp
~Cumin seeds 1 tsp
~Salt 1 tsp or to taste
~Water 1/2 cup
~Coriander or green chilis for garnishing.
Method:
1. Wash the Okra/Ladyfinger and pat dry it.
2. Cut the Okra/Ladyfinger into 1-2 inch pieces.
3. Slice the tomatoes and onions.
4. In a pan heat oil, add okra/Ladyfinger and sliced onions.
5. Stir them continuously until all the gel of okra/Ladyfinger disappears.
6. Now add ginger garlic paste and mix it well.
7. Add sliced tomatoes to it and give it a good mix. Cook for 2-3 minutes. Keep stirring.
8. Now add cumin seeds, crushed red chili, red chili powder, turmeric powder, coriander powder and salt. Mix all the ingredients well.
9. Add half cup water, stir it well.
10. Cover and let it cook for 15 minutes or until okra/Ladyfinger gets soft.
11. Garnish with fresh coriander or sliced green chili. Serve with homemade chapatis.
Have you ever tried this okra recipe? Or you have any other recipes of it, do let us know in the comments section.
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