Dry, Spiced Ladyfingers (Okra) Recipe

By
Denise D'silva Sankhé
Denise D'silva Sankhé is a Contributing Writer at Serious Eats.
Denise D'silva Sankhé

Denise is the author of The Beyond Curry Indian Cookbook: A Culinary Journey Through India. She wrote the popular Beyond Curry column for Serious Eats starting in 2012.

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Updated Apr. 06, 2021
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Okra, sometimes called lady's fingers, are hated by many because of their slimy texture. But this recipe, does away with that and brings out the mellow flavor of the vegetable and the subtle heat of the spices.

It's a fabulous way to introduce okra that will have people of all ages asking for seconds.

The trick to removing their sliminess is simple: add a squirt of fresh lemon juice while you're cooking it. In addition to magically making the slime disappear, it adds a subtle twist of flavor that brings out the heat of the spice and the mellowness of the vegetable. This dish is best served with steamed rice and daal tadka. It's wonderful vegetarian comfort food.

Recipe Facts

Active: 10 mins
Total: 15 mins
Serves: 2 servings

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Ingredients

  • 1 pound okra

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

  • Salt

  • 1 teaspoon coriander

  • 1 teaspoon red chile

  • 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder

Directions

  1. Cut the knobby end of the ladyfingers off and slit them lengthwise, taking care not to slit them all the way through. Heat the cast iron skillet for about a minute on medium heat. Slide in the ladyfingers and keep stirring, taking care not to break them. About 5 minutes, till they begin to discolor. When they have changed color and appear slightly limp, turn the heat to low and add the oil (stand clear if it splutters). Stir for about 30 seconds to mix through with the oil. Add the salt, coriander, red chile and turmeric powders. Stir to mix through for about 15 seconds. Let the ladyfingers cook untouched for the next 10 minutes, stirring once in between. Season and serve hot with white rice and deal (lentil soup).

Special Equipment

Cast-iron pan

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
175 Calories
14g Fat
11g Carbs
4g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 2
Amount per serving
Calories 175
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 14g 18%
Saturated Fat 1g 6%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 596mg 26%
Total Carbohydrate 11g 4%
Dietary Fiber 6g 22%
Total Sugars 6g
Protein 4g
Vitamin C 39mg 197%
Calcium 181mg 14%
Iron 1mg 6%
Potassium 346mg 7%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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