An easy to make okra stir fry…

Okra in North America and Lady’s finger in Asia, also called as Gumbo in some countries. I don’t care about the name as long as it tastes the same. This is one of the veggies that I loved ever since I was a kid. My mom often makes Theeyal or okra in roasted coconut gravy, a true veggie delicacy. I have to yet share the Theeyal recipe with you all, pretty soon for sure. Besides this, we make okra stir fry and fried okra combined with yogurt. For making okra stir fry, there are two main variations. In both of them grated coconut is added. However in one of the stir fries, coconut is mixed with other ingredients as well, while in the other one grated coconut is added as it is. This recipe is an easy one, okra is combined with coconut and stir fried till okra looses it’s mushiness and is slightly browned.

The best thing about this dish is that it doesn’t have any major ingredients added to it yet it tastes so delicious. This is a perfect vegetarian side dish which can be served with rice and other curries.

Okra and coconut stir fry

Ingredients

  • Okra, cut small- 15- 20
  • Oil- 2 tbsp
  • Mustard seeds- 1 tsp
  • Red dry chilly- 2
  • Curry leaves- 1 sprig
  • Onion, chopped small- 1
  • Green chillies- 2, halved
  • Coconut grated- 1 cup
  • Ground pepper- 1/4 tsp
  • Salt- to taste

Instruction

  • Cut okra vertically and then slice them into small.
  • Place a wok or non-stick pan over medium heat.
  • Add oil, let it turn hot.
  • Add mustard seeds and let it splutter.
  • Add dry red chillies and curry leaves to it, saute for a second.
  • Add onions and little salt, saute till onions turn translucent.
  • Add okra and little water to it.
  • Add green chillies to okra which are halved.
  • Cover and cook till okra is no longer mushy, about 5 to 10 minutes.
  • Keep stirring while it is getting cooked.
  • If it gets too dry, sprinkle little water over the okra.
  • Don’t add too much water as okra turns too mushy and sticky.
  • Add coconut and stir fry till okra turns light golden in color.
  • It should be a dry dish.
  • Taste and add ground pepper if you need more spice and salt accordingly.
  • Dish it out and serve as a side dish for rice or roti.

 

Okra and Coconut Stir Fry
 
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Ingredients
  • Okra, cut small- 15- 20
  • Oil- 2 tbsp
  • Mustard seeds- 1 tsp
  • Red dry chilly- 2
  • Curry leaves- 1 sprig
  • Onion, chopped small- 1
  • Green chillies- 2, halved
  • Coconut grated- 1 cup
  • Ground pepper- ¼ tsp
  • Salt- to taste

Instructions
  1. Cut okra vertically and then slice them into small.
  2. Place a wok or non-stick pan over medium heat.
  3. Add oil, let it turn hot.
  4. Add mustard seeds and let it splutter.
  5. Add dry red chillies and curry leaves to it, saute for a second.
  6. Add onions and little salt, saute till onions turn translucent.
  7. Add okra and little water to it.
  8. Add green chillies to okra which are halved.
  9. Cover and cook till okra is no longer mushy, about 5 to 10 minutes.
  10. Keep stirring while it is getting cooked.
  11. If it gets too dry, sprinkle little water over the okra.
  12. Don’t add too much water as okra turns too mushy and sticky.
  13. Add coconut and stir fry till okra turns light golden in color.
  14. It should be a dry dish.
  15. Taste and add ground pepper if you need more spice and salt accordingly.
  16. Dish it out and serve as a side dish for rice or roti.