Okra or 'Ladies finger' as it is known in India has always been a favorite vegetable. I bought some fresh okra the other day to try out something new-'gumbo'. I had only heard about this dish and finally managed to taste it from a can!! I checked for some gumbo recipes and found so many-I had no clue which was the right one. Finally I chickened out and turned the okra into my tried and tested version. This recipe should actually have more okra than potatoes,but since I picked up just a handful (for the gumbo),I had to add in more potatoes to increase the quantity of the 'sabzi'.Ingredients:
- Okra/ladiesfinger: 500 gms
- Potato: 1 small diced
- Green chillies: 1 or 2(slit lengthwise)
- Onion: 1/2 medium (finely chopped)
- Tamarind paste: 1 tsp
- Ginger: 1/2 "(finely chopped)
- Turmeric: 1/2 tsp
- Black pepper powder: 1 tsp(freshly ground)
- Garam masala: 1 tsp
- Salt:to taste
- Mustard seeds: 1tsp
- Cumin seeds/Zeera : 1/2 tsp
- Sesame seeds: 1tsp
- Curry leaves: 2-3 nos.
- Oil: 3tsp
- Wash and pat dry the okra before cutting them.
- Heat oil in a non-stick pan, add the mustard seeds,sesame seeds and cumin seeds.
- When the mustard starts to sputter,add the curry leaves, turmeric powder and the chopped ginger.
- Fry till the ginger turns golden brown,then add the chopped onions and fry till it browns.
- Then add the diced potatoes and the green chillies and fry for about 5 mins,stirring constantly.
- Add the chopped okra, the tamarind paste,the garam masala, pepper powder and stir-fry on a medium flame, till the okra and potatoes are cooked.
- Add the salt and mix well.
- Serve with some hot chapathis/phulkas(whole wheat tortillas) or as a side dish with a plate of rice and dal.
Question: What is your favorite okra dish?
