What are Ladies Fingers?
Ladies finger is a vegetable also called as okra, bhindi, bandakka or bendakaya. Even though it is classified as a fruit biologically, it is used as a vegetable in cooking. They are very rich in nutrients, containing vitamin C, K1 and A. They also contain protein, antioxidants, fiber and folate. In natural medicine, they are used to lower blood sugar levels and increase collagen.
Below are my ladies finger plants (grown from seed) and look at that LADIES FINGER FLOWER!
What does Ladies finger (Okra) taste like?
Okra has a mild, slightly sweet flavor with a somewhat slimy texture when cooked. Some people describe its taste as similar to eggplant or green beans.
How to Cook a Ladies finger fry (the Short Version)
This is the easiest okra stir fry you will make. Chop ladies fingers into small pieces. Add them to a pan with 1 tbsp of coconut oil, along with lots of chopped red onions, red chillie flakes and salt. Cook until okra are tender and the onions are translucent.
What Ingredients do you need for this Ladies finger stir fry recipe?
To cook this easy and simple ladies finger fry, you need the following ingredients:
- Okra
- Onions
- Red Chilli flakes
- Salt
- Green Chillies (optional)
- Curry leaves (optional)
Side dishes to Serve with this Ladies Finger Fry
This ladies finger fry is a little spicy, so it can be served with plain rice, and a mild / sweet curry.
- Mild Dhal Curry – To make a delicious vegan/vegetarian meal, serve with rice/tortillas and dhal curry
- Beetroot Curry – To make a delicious vegan/vegetarian meal, serve with white rice and sweet beetroot curry
- Shrimp Curry – My preference to serve with any vegetable stir fry is a delicious shrimp curry. The sweetness of the shrimp curry pairs really well with the spicy okra. Give it a try!
Ladies Finger Fry
Ingredients
- 12 oz Ladies finger/okra About 10 pieces of big okra or 20 pieces of small okra
- 1 Large Red Onion
- 1 tbsp Red chillie flakes
- 1 tsp Turmeric powder
- 1 tsp Salt
Instructions
- Prepare the ladies fingers for cooking by washing them well. Then cut off the top and bottom tips of the ladies finger.
- Cut the ladies fingers into small pieces, and cut a whole red onions into thin slices.
- Add a tablespoon of vegetable oil to a non-stick pan and heat on low flame. Add the okra to the hot oil, then add the chopped lady fingers. Add the sliced onions and a tablespoon of chillie flakes, a teaspoon of turmeric powder and salt. Mix all the ingredients well.
- Keep on low flame (throughout the cooking process), and close the lid. After five minutes, open the lid and mix everything.
- Close back the lid and cook on low flame for five more minutes. When the okra are soft and the onions are translucent, it is ready to eat.
How to make Ladies Finger Fry (Recipe with step by step pictures)
Here are about 10 ladies fingers that I picked from my garden. Aren’t they GORGEOUS?!!!
Prepare the ladies fingers for cooking by washing them well. Then cut off the top and bottom tips of the ladies finger.
TIP: How to check for tender okra (young okra)? Try to snap off the tip with your finger. If it snaps off easily, the okra is tender and will be delicious to eat. If the tip is too hard to snap off, then these okra are old. Do not buy them or try to cook them. They will taste awful!
Cut the ladies fingers into small pieces, and cut a whole red onions into thin slices.
Add a tablespoon of vegetable oil to a non-stick pan and heat on low flame. Add the chopped lady fingers and the sliced onions
Add a tablespoon of chillie flakes, a teaspoon of turmeric powder and salt. Mix all the ingredients well. Alternatively, you can also mix the okra, onions and spices together and then add into the pan
Keep on low flame (throughout the cooking process), and close the lid. After five minutes, open the lid and mix everything. TIP: If the okra are sticking to the pan, add one to two tablespoons of water to deglaze the pan. Then cook until water evaporates and okra are cooked all the way.
Close back the lid and cook on low flame for five more minutes. When the okra are soft and the onions are translucent, it is ready to eat.