Okra

[Caran]

In the co-op today I noticed they had bags of okra reduced to 27p. I have never seen it before. I picked the bag up to look for instructions, there wasn't any. Assistant standing by so I asked her what to do with it. She had no idea. I said I'll get some. So she asked me what I would do with it. I told her I would go on line and find out. She said I'd put her to shame as she didn't know and would also look it up so she could inform customers what to do with it.
I found a recipe, sliced it into four strips. Coated it in turmeric, chilli powder, cumin,ground coriander, oil and salt. Spread out on a tray and roasted in oven for 10 minutes.
Apart from spices they didn't taste of anything, too fiddly.
Anyone else tried it?

[-SharonA-]

I put mine in soup. Top and tail them and I chop them in half. They're good for thickening soup. You can add to veggy curry.

[rockyracoon]

I tried it some time ago. As you say, pretty tasteless, wouldn't bother with it again.

[hc4361]

I use it in curries, stews and soups. Just chop it in half, chuck it in. It will disappear in to the dish but will thicken it.

[Mamyalynne]

Alot of folk don't like the texture, I like some in curries.

[pastafreak]

As my father was from south Carolina where it's used alot,we sometimes had it. Vile,slimey,nasty...blehhh. I've never been tempted as an adult to try it again.

[Islay]

In indian cooking they do a lovely dish called binji baji (not sure if correct spelling) we also call them ladies fingers.

[retrocop]

I use them a lot in curries and Greek cooking. They are quite glutinous but that is the thickening agent. They go in gumbo as part of the mixture. Cajun food.

[Prudie]

As Islay says, they've been on Indian restaurant menus for donkeys years - bhindi bhaji

[mikey4444]

Madhur Jaffrey has a recipe for sweet and sour Okra, but I gave the book to a friend, and never saw it again !

[tamborine]

Rinse & cook whole always. Either in stews & curries for colour and texture or fried or grilled & served buttered like asparagas.

[retrocop]

mikey
Should'nt have given the book to a friend if you wanted it back. If you only lent it? Some friend ! :-)
I have a large tome of Ms Jaffrey. Do you want the recipe. I have it in front of me. Sweet and sour Okra with chickpeas?

[mikey4444]

I should be able to get the book back this weekend ! The recipe I was thinking of had tamarind paste in it....can't recall chickpeas though.

Thanks for the offer Retro. My take-away in the village will make it for me if I give them some notice to get some fresh bhindi in. An idea for this Saturday perhaps !

[mccfluff]

Madhur Jaffrey's receipe here

http://www.hungrymonster.com/recipe/recipe-search.php?C=Indian&rid=46349

[retrocop]

Strange you mention Tamarind paste. I have just made a batch from the pods for a Sri lankan Fish curry I am doing tonight.
I have Madhur Jaffreys Cookbook in hardback.876 pages.The recipe with chick peas has 2 tablespoons of Tamarind Paste.That is why it is called sweet and sour. She has several others with Okra and Yoghurt, Okra and tomatoes.Okra with green chilli and fried onions

[mikey4444]

Thanks everybody ! Madhur has written quite a few books, and mine was a tie-in with her first TV series, which must now be nearly 30 years ago.

[retrocop]

This one is in my copy of Madhur Jaffreys Cookbook


http://www.eatyourbooks.com/library/recipes/1333822/ushas-sweet-and-sour-okra

[EcclesCake]

The recipe in Fluffs link is the one from the old BBC series. It is a great recipe and one that I thoroughly enjoy, just a shame that Mr Cake dislikes Okra.

[mikey4444]

Then let him go without Eccles !