This is one of my mother’s favourite recipes as she really likes okra.

Okra stir-fry

Time taken: 10 – 15 mins

Serves 4

Ingredients:

• Okra – 200g, whole
• Onion – 1, small and chopped
• Red chilli – 1, chopped
• Curry leaves – 1 sprig
• Fennel seeds – ½ tsp
• Turmeric powder – ¼ tsp
• Pepper powder – ¼ tsp
• Salt – ¼ tsp
• Oil

Method:

1. Boil some water. When the water comes to a boil, drop the okra prior to chopping, in the boiling water and take them out after a minute and immerse them in a bowl of ice-cold water. This reduces the sliminess of the okra and retains the colour.
2. Chop the blanched okra into ½ or 1 inch pieces.
3. Marinate the okra pieces by adding some turmeric, salt and pepper. Mix and keep aside.
4. Heat 1 tbsp of oil in a pan. Fry the chopped onion, red chilli, curry leaves with the fennel seeds for a few minutes.
5. Add the marinated pieces of okra and combine well. Cover the pan and allow the okra to cook for about 5 mins.
6. Remove from heat and serve with rice.

Source: Raji Thillainathan.