
The first step is to wipe dry the whole okra very well so it has no traces of moisture or water on it. This slimy substance can actually ruin any dish if okra is not prepared and cooked properly.Īs with any other okra dish, this bhindi masala has to be cooked the right way to avoid gooey, sticky and slimy texture in the dish. It is made up of protein, carbohydrates & soluble fiber that makes this vegetable a healthy one. Okra has a naturally occurring slimy substance known as mucilage. In South India, it is added to sambar, curries, stew and also stir fried with coconut. Dahi bhindi, kurkuri bhindi & bharwa bhindi are some popular North Indian dishes. Okra is a veggie with lots of nutritional values so it is widely used in the Indian cuisine. I have the more details in the tips section below. For a change sometimes I also add boiled potatoes. It’s a kids’ approved recipe and am sure they will enjoy it even on a rotation basis. This bhindi masala also goes well in a school / office lunch box with some rotis. Since okra is available all-round the year I make this pretty often for a meal.ĭal fry, dal tadka, okra masala, soft rotis and some plain rice makes for a healthy, delicious and simple meal in my home. It is a common everyday side dish made in many Indian households. Made with everyday ingredients, this simple bhindi masala is extremely easy to cook. So ‘Bhindi masala’ means okra cooked in a spicy onion tomato masala. About Bhindi Masalaīhindi’ is a Hindi term for ‘Okra’ & ‘masala’ is an Indian curry base made with onions, tomatoes, spices and herbs. This post shows you how easy it is to cook okra perfectly without getting slimy.
#Okra recipe free
Wish to learn more about Japanese cooking? Sign up for our free newsletter to receive cooking tips & recipe updates! And stay in touch with me on Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, and Instagram. Japanese Ingredient Substitution: If you want to look for substitutes for Japanese condiments and ingredients, click here. Like this easy Okra Ohitashi, you will need only a few minutes to prepare your vegetable ahead of time and enjoy on a daily basis. With just a handful of ingredients, the ohitashi technique is a fool-proof way to get more vegetables to the plate. Here are some of the common ingredients used for ohitashi dishes in Japan. So if you are not a big fan, you can certainly use other vegetables for this ohitashi recipe. While I enjoy okra, I know not everyone has the same liking for this finger-shaped vegetable. With its crisp-tender and unique viscous texture, okra can make an appealing side than the usual boring vegetables. It is also a good source of minerals, vitamins, and fiber too! When they are in season, I like to snatch them up quick and make ohitashi right away. Variations of Ohitashi You Can Make besides Japanese Okra Salad Therefore, squeeze tightly to remove the water before you soak the okra or any other vegetables you use in the ohitashi marinade. You don’t want to dilute the sauce with excess moisture coming from the vegetables. You don’t want them to be watery or lose the nutrients. However, make sure to remove the okra (or other vegetables) from water as soon as they are cool.

Ice bath helps prevent the okra from turning mushy and revive the color.

It might look like extra work to prepare iced water, but it’s the most efficient way to stop the cooking immediately. Use an ice bath to stop cooking immediately You do not want to overcook the vegetables and as they can easily lose texture and turn mushy. Set a timer or pay attention to the doneness of the okra. If you’re looking for an interesting side dish for your Japanese style Ichiju Sansai (1 soup 3 dishes) meal, this Okra Ohitashi will work to round things up for you.ģ Tips to Make Delicious Okra Ohitashi 1. The marinade has umami from dashi ( katsuobushi & kombu dashi or vegetarian/vegan dashi), savory taste from soy sauce, and a tinge of sweetness from mirin. Yes, it’s kind of like Teriyaki, a cooking method (applying glossy sauce + grill) that has been doubled as a dish name.įor Ohitashi dishes, fresh ingredients are typically blanched quickly and then soaked in a dashi-infused soy sauce-based marinade for several hours. Ohitashi (おひたし) is a Japanese cooking method, meaning “soaking”, which is turned into a dish name. This simple vegetable recipe is super handy when you are in need of something refreshing and wholesome to balance the dinner. Today I’m sharing Okra Ohitashi (オクラのおひたし) or Japanese Okra Salad. One of the easiest side dishes you can make to accompany your Japanese meal is Ohitashi. Prepare it ahead of time, so you can serve this salad instantly for dinner.

Okra Ohitashi is a simple, light, and flavorful Japanese side dish of blanched okras in a soy sauce-based marinade.
