Stuffed Okra

Okra or lady's finger  is an omni-favorite vegetable  (I mean favorite of everyone) at least in India. Stuffed okra is one of the oft prepared dishes in Indian households though there are many many version of it. Whenever I get to see fresh, short, young okras is the market I grab them to prepare stuffed okras because they are very suitable for this recipe. You can also snack on stuffed okra or have them as a starter.

Ingredients:

1. Ladies finger - 25
2. Oil - 2 tbsp
3. Asafoetida - 1 pinch

For stuffing:

1.     Green chili paste – ½ tsp

2.     Ginger paste – ½ tsp

3.     Coriander powder – ½ tbsp

4.     Cumin powder – 1 tsp

5.     Garam masala powder – ½ tsp

6.     White sesame seeds – 1 tsp

7.     Coriander leaves – 2 tbsp finely chopped

8.     Coconut – 3 tbsp grated

9.     Powdered peanuts – 2 tbsp

10.  Oil – 1 tsp

11.  Salt to taste

Method:

Step 1: Mix all the ingredients for stuffing in a bowl and keep aside.
Step 2: Wash and pat dry ladies fingers. Make a slit length wise in each of them and stuff  in the prepared stuffing mix in all the vegetables and keep aside.
Step 3: Heat oil in a pan, sprinkle asafoetida and arrange the stuffed okra in the pan in a single layer. Add any left over stuffing and cook on low medium flame without lid. Every few minutes turn them to allow even cooking on all sides. Slow roasting gives better taste and texture.
Step 4: Turn off heat. Serve with rice or rotis.