We will see how to make a very tasty stir fry with Okra (Bhindi and also called Lady’s Finger). Before we delve into it, we should know that Okra is a very healthy vegetable. Raw okra is 90% water, 2% protein, 7% carbohydrates and negligible in fat. It is rich in dietary fiber, vitamin C and vitamin K, with moderate contents of thiamin, folate and magnesium (table). These nutritional content promote heart health and strong bones and protect against cancer. Care should be taken in storing this vegetable. Buy okra when it is firm and keep it dry. Wash them only when you want to use it. Store them for no more than 3 to 4 days in paper or plastic in a crisper drawer.
Ingredients:
Okra / Bhindi / Lady’s Finger – 250 GMs
Red Chilli Powder – 1 tsp
Coriander Seed Powder – 1 tsp
Turmeric Powder – 1/8 tsp
Cumin Seed Powder – ½ tsp
Dry Mango Powder (Amchur Powder) – ½ tsp (Or Lemon Juice – ½ tsp)
Rava (Semolina) – ½ cup
Rice Flour (Or Corn Flour) – 3 tbsp
Oil – 2 to 3 tbsp for roasting
Method:
Wash the Okras and wipe them off well. Cut off the head and tail of the Okras and discard. Slit Okra into 2 halves.
Take the slit Okras, Salt, Chilli Powder, Coriander Seed Powder, Turmeric Powder, Cumin Seed Powder and Amchur Powder (or Lemon Juice) in a mixing bowl and mix them well. Ensure that the Okras are coated evenly with the masala. Allow to rest for 15 to 20 minutes.
Take Rava and Rice Flour in a dish and mix them well. Now, add the Masala coated Okras and mix them well so that each Okra is coated well with the Rawa Rice Flour mix.
Heat the Oil in a non-stick pan. Place the coated Okras on the pan. Cover with a lid and simmer for 5 minutes or till the Okras are cooked well.
Flip them and continue to roast for in low flame. Roast them till the Okras become crispier and golden. Transfer to a serving bowl.
Serve them as a side dish with Rasam Rice, Sambar Rice and Dal Rice etc. You may like it as a snack also.
Note:
For this dish, select the longer variety of Okras and ensure that they are tender. If you fold the tip, it should break easily. If it bends, it is not a tender Okra.
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