When people say "I don't like okra," I can hardly believe my ears. I love okra, and okra with a bit of chili pepper and garlic seems like a marriage made in heaven, to my tastebuds at least. So you can imagine how much I enjoyed this easy and quick recipe for okra masala, or Indian spiced okra.
1. Place a pinch of fenugreek seeds, pinch of fennel seeds, 2-3 cardamom pods, 1 cinnamon stick, 1 bay leaf, 3 garlic cloves (chopped), 1 onion (chopped) and saute in peanut oil until the onions are golden.
2. Add 1/2 tsp turmeric, 1/2 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp ground coriander, and 1 tsp tomato paste. Mix with onion mixture and then add 2 finely diced tomatoes and 2 1/2 cups water. Bring to a boil and simmer until the sauce thickens.
3. Add fresh or thawed frozen okra (whole). Stir into the masala sauce and simmer for 5 mins until the okra is tender.
If you don't like okra because it breaks down when it cooks, have no fears. In this recipe the okra is cooked whole and so the okra never becomes mushy. Serve with rice or an Indian bread. Enjoy!
Comments
Hey Johnny- this looks great, and I don't believe it when I hear people say they don't like okra either- maybe they just haven't had it cooked in Indian dishes; they've had the vegetable longer than anyone, so dishes like this are the best!!
Posted by: pelicano | May 10, 2007 05:00 AM
I love okra! This recipe looks great. Of course here in the south we fry it. .. to death.
Posted by: Kevin-Andrew | May 10, 2007 09:12 PM