Cooking web notes

I have to confess that V (my husband) is not huge on vegetarian food. However, from the time I know him he raves and rants about ladies finger. He had them in some delectable masala a long time back, from where I don't know, and fell in love with it. From then I try variations of okra always keeping in mind to keep the shape and kill that characteristic sliminess of this vegetable when not done properly. One of the experiments that comes close to achieving the desired result is as in the recipe that follows. This one is rather dry so make the dal curry 'Gul' mentioned in our blog yesterday and have the ladies finger served with it.


Ingredients:
Ladies Finger/ Okra   - 1 pound (450 grams)
Worcestershire sauce - 2 tbspn
Pepper - 1 tspn
Onion - 1 medium size
Kanoji/ Onion seed - 1/4 tspn
Chili powder - 1 tspn
Oil - 1 tbspn

Method
1. Wash and pat dry Ladies finger/ okra.
2. Cut the head off and slit till the end and still keeping it together
3. Marinate with ingredients 2 and 3 and salt
4. Spread it on a cookie sheet which is sprayed on lined with oil.
5. Bake at 350 F (150 degree C) for 30 minutes or till Ladies finger/ okra is tender
5. Heat oil in a pan, splutter onion seeds
6. Add onions and on a low fire cook till translucent
7. Add chili powder and turmeric and some sauce or vinegar or plain water to keep the masala from burning (just a sprinkle)
8. Add your baked Okra in and mix well making sure you don't lose the shape or mash the okra
9. Allow the vegetable and masala to blend
Serve with roti or rice and dal curry.
P.S: In case you don't want to use the oven pat dry the ladies finger and add to the pan once the masala is prepared with ingredients 2 and 3 in the masala and not marinated in okra


Contributor: Sunitha