Stuffed Okra

2021-06-16

As a kid I was not fond of okra (lady finger). This could be because of its slimy texture. I don't remember exactly how and when, but over the years I started liking it as a vegetable. I started searching recipes to cook okra in various ways. Okra is a wonderful vegetable when you cook it right and there are many recipes to cook it. Stuffed okra is a common method to cook okra in India and the recipe makes perfectly cooked okra without slime. I found beautiful baby okra at the farmer's market this year and decided to make stuffed okra.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb okra
• 2 tablespoons cooking oil
• 4 tablespoons chickpea flour
• 4 tablespoons almond flour
• 2 teaspoons SpiceMiss garam masala
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper powder
• 1/4 teaspoon asafoetida (hing) - optional
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 cup cilantro, finely chopped
• Salt per taste

Steps:

• Wash the okra pods and pat them completely dry. Then trim the top and bottom off. Make a slit in the middle of each okra creating a pocket to stuff the stuffing. Do not split the okra in half.
• To make the stuffing, combine together the flours, spices, salt, and sugar. Add the lemon juice and cilantro in the flour mixture.
• After combining all the ingredients, taste the stuffing and adjust the seasonings accordingly.
• Fill the stuffing carefully in each okra slit.
• After the okras are stuffed, heat a pan on medium heat. Add the oil to the pan.
• Arrange the stuffed okra in the hot pan, sprinkle a pinch of salt and cook them uncovered for 8 to 10 minutes depending on their size. Turn them in between so they will cook from all sides.
• Serve hot okra as a side dish or with naan.

Mix all the ingredients to make the stuffing

After adding the lemon juice

Stuff the okra and arrange it in the pan

Cooked Okra

A cook's note:

There are other variations to make the stuffing. Here are my suggestions:

• You can use ground peanut instead of almond flour.
• Use a mixture of sautéd onion+tomato+bread crumbs to stuff the okra.