Spiced Okra Recipes

SPICED OKRA WITH TOMATOES RECIPE

Steps:

• For the Spice Mixture : Combine cumin, coriander, cardamom (if using), and dried habanero (if using) in a small saucepan and set over medium heat. Toast spices until fragrant, about 2 minutes. When cool enough to handle, remove cardamom pods, then place remaining spices in spice grinder or mortar. Using fingers, crack open cardamom pods and remove seeds contained within; discard hull. Add cardamom seeds to other spices. Using spice grinder or mortar and pestle, grind spices to fine powder. Set aside.
• For the Okra : Heat canola oil in Dutch oven or 3-quart saucepan over medium heat until shimmering. Add onions and salt and cook, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, until onions are golden and just starting to brown, about 15 minutes.
• Stir in garlic and ginger and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in tomato paste, stir and cook until paste has colored the contents of the pot a reddish-brown, about 1 minute. Mound onions, ginger, and garlic in center of pot and add spice mixture directly on top (this is to guard against scorching the spices). Stir together, then cook until spices are bloomed and mixture is very fragrant, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Add water and stir, scraping bottom of pot with wooden spoon to dislodge any stuck-on bits. Add tomato sauce and okra and stir to break up frozen okra. (Okra pieces should be just submerged in the liquid; if not, add more water to cover them). Bring contents of pot to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until okra is tender, most of excess liquid has cooked off, and okra is thickly coated in sauce, 10-15 minutes. Top with cilantro and serve immediately as part of a larger meal with rice or paratha , passing lime wedges alongside.

SPICED OKRA

Steps:

• In a heated wok, combine the cumin, coriander, turmeric, mustard seeds, and pepper flakes and cook, stirring with a wooden spoon, until the mustard seeds pop, about 2 minutes. Add the onion and cook for 2 minutes more, until the onion is soft and translucent. Turn the heat to high and add the okra.
• Cook, stirring occasionally, until it is bright and gives slightly when pressed with the spoon, about 2 minutes. Serve with yogurt for dipping.

SPICED OKRA AND TOMATOES

Steps:

• In a saute pan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring, until soft and translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, 45 to 60 seconds. Add the wine and cook until reduced by half, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the okra, red pepper flakes, tomatoes, thyme and bay leaves. Season with salt and pepper. Cover, decrease the heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the okra is just tender, about 15 minutes. Taste and adjust for seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.

SPICED OKRA CURRY

Steps:

• Heat a large wok or frying pan over a medium heat. Add the oil, then the onions, cooking until soft. Stir in the okra. Add the tomatoes and chilli, then season. Mix well and keep stirring gently, taking care not to break up the okra. Okra releases a sticky substance when cooked, but keep cooking, stirring gently - this will disappear and the tomatoes will become pulpy, about 10 mins.
• Lower heat, add ground coriander and cook for another 5-10 mins. Add 2 tbsp water, cover and let simmer for another 4-5 mins. Sprinkle with coriander and serve with basmati rice or chapati bread.

SPICED FRIED OKRA

Steps:

• Mix together coriander, paprika, oregano, thyme, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. In a large bowl, whisk together rice flour, semolina, and all but 1 teaspoon of spice mixture. Add okra; toss to fully coat. Shake excess flour mixture from okra back into bowl, and transfer okra to a plate.
• Add enough water to flour mixture in bowl to create a batter about the thickness of honey (you should have about 3/4 cup; you may need to add more water as you go along, as rice flour thickens quickly).
• Pour enough oil into a medium heavy pot to come about 1 inch up sides (about 4 cups). Clip a deep-fry thermometer to pot and heat oil over medium to 350°F. Working with a handful at a time, add okra to batter, turning to coat. Using tongs, lift out of batter and carefully add to oil.
• Cook, turning once, until golden brown, 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack set inside a rimmed baking sheet; sprinkle immediately with salt. Place in a 200°F oven to keep warm. When all okra is cooked, sprinkle with some of remaining spice mixture and more paprika. Serve with lime wedges.