Here’s another simple vegetarian stir fry recipe. Okra or ladies’ finger aka vendakkai in Tamil can be used to prepare various dishes like sambhar, puli kuzhambu, kootu, fritters, sabji and stir fry. There is this saying in Tamil, “Vendakkai sapta arivu valarum”. This roughly means that eating ladies’ finger will improve your brain’s function. I don’t know if it’s true or just a made-up story to make kids eat this vegetable. But it sure is rich in nutrients. Cleaning it can take some time as you have to rinse it in water and wipe them dry and off any dust. It’s worth it though. This tasty stir fry pairs well with rice and any dal based curry or curd rice.
Ingredients:
- 250 grams Ladies’ finger or Okra
- 2 tablespoon Oil
- 1/2 teaspoon Mustard seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon Urad dal
- 1/2 cup Onion, chopped
- 1 sprig Curry leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt or as needed
- 1/2 teaspoon Turmeric powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Red Chilli powder
Preparation:
Rinse and wipe the okras so that they are dry and clean. Discard the ends and chop them thinly. Heat oil in a pan or kadai with the stove set at medium. Add in mustard seeds and urad dal. Next, add chopped onions and curry leaves.
Once the onions turn translucent add in the chopped okra. Cook by stirring them through often. The volume will reduce as it cooks and it will lose its bright green colour. When it starts to brown, reduce the heat. Add salt, red chilli powder and turmeric powder. Mix the spices through and cook for another three minutes and take it off the heat.
Serve with rice and dal or curd.
