Okra in Tomato Sauce

Okra in tomato sauce is a Middle Eastern recipe. The slime in okra is what throws most people off and cooking an okra curry without the slimy texture is what I strive for. Try avoiding old okra which is the main reason for the slimy texture. When you have fresh okra and tomatoes nothing should stop you from making this recipe.

Some simple steps that I follow, wash and dry the okra completely. Also saute/roast the cut okra by itself before adding it to the curry base especially if you are adding them to a liquid curry. This helps the curry from getting slimy.

This recipe is a simple one, besides the spices can be the ones you like, you can just use black pepper like the Middle Eastern recipes or use a combination of red chili powder and a tiny bit of coriander and cumin powder.

Wash and dry the okra and cut them into 1/2 inch rounds.
Saute the onions and tomatoes in a saute pan, and add the spice powders.
Add in the tomatoes and cook till it is mushy and reduce it to the required texture. Add in the roasted okra and mix well.
Cook the okra in the sauce for about 3-4 minutes more.

Fully cooked but without getting mushy is the great thing about this recipe.

Okra in Tomato Sauce
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 25 minutes
Ingredients

1. 20 Okra - about 2 cups of okra cut into 1/2 inch rounds
2. 1 cup of chopped ripe tomatoes
3. 1/2 red onion finally chopped
4. 3-4 slit green chilies (optional)
5. 2 tsp coriander powder
6. 1/2 tbsp chili powder or black pepper powder(adjust if using green chilies)
7. 1/2 tsp cumin powder
8. salt to taste
9. 1/2 tbsp oil

Method

1. Wash the okra and spread them on a kitchen till they are completely dry. Trim the ends and cut the okra into 1/2 inch rounds.
2. In a saute pan add about a tsp of oil and saute the cut okra till the slime is completely removed and the okra pieces start to brown. Set aside.
3. In a pan add oil and when hot add the onions and green chilies if using, saute till they become translucent.
4. Add in the spice powders - coriander, cumin and red chili or pepper powder followed by salt. Mix it well into the onions.
5. Add in the tomatoes and saute till they become mushy, depending upon how dry or wet you want cook for about 8-10 minutes (or 16 minutes till oil separates).
6. Add in the sauteed okra and continue to cook for another 4-5 minutes.

Goes great with some soft phulkas or chapatis.

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