5 Healthy Okra Recipes To Try Today
By NutrioTalk
Okra, also known as lady's finger or bhindi, is a versatile and nutritious vegetable that deserves a place in your kitchen. Packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber, okra offers numerous health benefits while adding a unique flavor and texture to your meals.
Let’s explore five mouth-watering and healthy okra recipes that will help you incorporate this green gem into your diet. From soups to stir-fries, let's dive into the world of okra and discover some delightful culinary creations!
5 Healthy Okra Recipes
1. Okra Stir-Fry with Garlic and Ginger
Ingredients
2 cups fresh okra, washed and trimmed
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1-inch piece ginger, grated
2-3 green chillies, chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
Method
1. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat
2. Add minced garlic and grated ginger to the skillet and sauté for a minute until fragrant
3. Add the okra and green chilies and stir-fry for about 5-7 minutes until it becomes tender
4. Season with salt, turmeric powder, pepper, and stir well to combine
5. Cook for an additional 2 minutes, ensuring the flavors are well incorporated
6. Remove from heat and serve as a side dish or over steamed rice
2.Spicy Okra Soup
Ingredients
2 cups fresh okra, washed and sliced
1 onion, chopped
2 tomatoes, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon cumin powder
1 teaspoon chili powder
4 cups vegetable broth
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh cilantro for garnish
Method
1. Heat olive oil in a pressure cooker
2. Add chopped onions and minced garlic, and sauté until onions turn translucent
3. Add diced tomatoes, cumin powder, and chili powder. Cook for 3-4 minutes until tomatoes soften
4. Add sliced okra and vegetable broth to the pot. Season with salt and pepper
5. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 20-25 minutes until the okra is tender
6. Adjust the seasoning if needed and garnish with fresh cilantro before serving
3.Grilled Okra Skewers
Ingredients
2 cups fresh okra, washed and trimmed
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste
Method
1. Preheat the grill to medium heat
2. In a bowl, combine olive oil, lemon juice, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to create a marinade
3. Add the trimmed okra to the marinade and toss gently to coat
4. Thread the okra onto skewers
5. Grill the okra skewers for about 5 minutes, turning occasionally until they are lightly charred and tender
6. Remove from the grill and serve as an appetizer
4.Okra and Tomato Salad
Ingredients
2 cups fresh okra, washed and sliced
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cucumber, diced
1 red onion, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Method
1. Steam the okras to make it tender
2. In a bowl, add steamed okras, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, onions, olive oil
3. Add lemon juice, salt, pepper, and fresh basil leaves. Mix it well
4. Serve as an evening snack
5. Crispy Okra
Ingredients
2 cups Okra, thinly sliced
1 cup Chickpea Flour
Salt to taste
1 teaspoon Turmeric Powder
1-2 teaspoon Chili Powder
2tbsp Olive Oil
Method
1. Take a bowl, mix chickpea flour, olive oil, salt, turmeric powder, and chili powder
2. Add thinly sliced okra to the mixture and coat the okras well
3. Place it in an air fryer and set your time to 15mins
4. Serve hot and crispy okra as an appetizer or side dish
Apart from these recipes, drinking okra water is extremely beneficial for health, especially for diabetics. Dice one okra in a glass of water and keep it overnight. Drink it in the morning on an empty stomach. It is hugely effective for diabetes.
As okra is rich in vital nutrients and minerals, it is important to include in your diet whether in a form of curry, salad, soup, or snacks. Okra is very low in calories, thus provide several health benefits. Try out these healthy okra recipes, and make okra as your part of diet routine!
