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The simple srilankan life through family, food and lessons learned along the way..

Sri Lankan

Sri Lankan lady’s fingers stir-fry(okra fry, Bandakka theldala).

Yum

July 18, 2017 · By jehan

Sri Lankan Lady's fingers(okra) stir-fry, a vegan, vegetarian, green side-dish made in minutes. Try it, you might be surprised how good it tastes. #okra #vegetarian #vegan #glutenfree #lowcarb #stirfry #srilankan #sidedish

Sri Lankan Lady’s fingers(okra) stir-fry.

A vegan, vegetarian, green side-dish made in minutes.

Try it, you might be surprised how good it tastes.

Some call it okra, some, lady’s fingers(Bandakka). You have the few who love it and most who hate it.

The reason could be the oozing substance that can be unpleasant to some.

 

As far as my kids are concerned there is only one way they’ll have a dish of cooked lady’s fingers and that is if I get rid of all that goop(as they like to call it).

 

But Lady’s fingers or Bandakka, is, in fact, tasty when cooked right.

A good way to bring out the best of this unpopular vegetable is to fry or stir-fry it. for this recipe, I’m taking the latter approach.

 

All I’m asking is for you to try this Sri Lankan okra fry. there are so many benefits in adding it to your meals.

 

To name a few, they are gluten-free, low-carb, high in Potassium, folic acid, Calcium and low in Calories.

These are reasons enough to add them to your meals.

 

If you want to know more on this vegetable, read on, I’ll show you how I get rid of all that slimy liquid for my kids.

 

Sri Lankan Lady's fingers(okra) stir-fry, a vegan, vegetarian, green side-dish made in minutes. Try it, you might be surprised how good it tastes. #okra #vegetarian #vegan #glutenfree #lowcarb #stirfry #srilankan #sidedish

 

Can I eat Okra raw as in adding them to my raw salads?

You can but I can guarantee, you may not like the uncooked texture with its sticky ooze.

 

How do I pick the freshest Okra at the store?

Pick green, fresh okras that are not bruised and wilted.

They should be firm to the touch minus any spots.

Try to cook them within three days for best results as they spoil easily and when mature they tend to become hard and dry even when cooked.

 

Sri Lankan Lady's fingers(okra) stir-fry, a vegan, vegetarian, green side-dish made in minutes. Try it, you might be surprised how good it tastes. #okra #vegetarian #vegan #glutenfree #lowcarb #stirfry #srilankan #sidedish

 

Thank you note to my readers.

 

Save the recipe to your favorite Pinterest board!

Sri Lankan Lady's fingers(okra) stir-fry, a vegan, vegetarian, green side-dish made in minutes. Try it, you might be surprised how good it tastes. #okra #vegetarian #vegan #glutenfree #lowcarb #stirfry #srilankan #sidedish

 

 

Sri Lankan lady’s fingers

stir-fry.

(okra fry, bandakka theldala).

 

Please make sure to read the recipe instructions carefully to avoid mistakes.

How to get rid of the slime while cooking okra(lady’s fingers, Bandakka) is mentioned below in the recipe.

Ingredients

Ingredients mentioned below use standard measuring cups and spoons.

3-4 tablespoons of Oil

10-12 new lady’s fingers/Okra

1 large Tomato sliced

1 large Onion sliced

2 Garlic cloves finely sliced

Pinch of Turmeric

1/2 teaspoon chilli flecks

 

Method

Wash, let dry for a few minutes and cut them diagonally.

Place the cut Okra/Lady’s fingers in a bowl, mix a pinch of Turmeric and season with salt.

 

How to get rid of the slimy
substance of the Okra.

Place a skillet over low-medium heat, non- stick would be preferable.

Once the skillet is warm add the Okra/ Lady’s fingers and toss them around for 3-5 minutes.

Remember this is to get rid of the slimy substance that would gradually stick to the pan.

To remove all traces of the sticky substance keep moving the okra around until the edges of the Okra are slightly brown, at this point, you will find there is no sticky ooze left.

 

Cooking the okra fry.

Transfer the Okra/lady’s fingers into a bowl, place the same skillet over medium heat and pour Oil followed by Onions, Garlic, Tomatoes, Salt to season. Cook until the Onions are Soft.

Add the Okra to the skillet and cook for 2 minutes,  sprinkle chilli flecks and stir-fry for another minute or until the Lady’s fingers turn soft. season with Salt if you need.

Serve warm with a bowl of rice.

 

Made this recipe?

Please don’t forget to rate the recipe on the recipe card so other readers find it helpful and show me your recipe by tagging me #islandsmile178 on Instagram.

Yield: 4

Sri Lankan lady's fingers stir-fry(okra fry, Bandakka theldala).

Sri Lankan lady's fingers stir-fry(okra fry, Bandakka theldala).

SRI LANKAN LADY’S FINGERS(OKRA) STIR-FRY, A VEGAN, VEGETARIAN, GREEN SIDE-DISH MADE IN MINUTES. TRY IT, YOU MIGHT BE SURPRISED HOW GOOD IT TASTES.

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes

Ingredients

  • Ingredients mentioned below use standard measuring cups and spoons.
  • 3-4 tablespoons of Oil
  • 10-12 new lady’s fingers/Okra
  • 1 large Tomato sliced
  • 1 large Onion sliced
  • 2 Garlic cloves finely sliced
  • Pinch of Turmeric
  • 1/2 teaspoon chilli flecks

Instructions

Wash, let dry for a few minutes and cut them diagonally.

Place the cut Okra/Lady’s fingers in a bowl, mix a pinch of Turmeric and season with salt.

HOW TO GET RID OF THE SLIMY SUBSTANCE OF THE OKRA.

Place a skillet over low-medium heat, non- stick would be preferable.

Once the skillet is warm add the Okra/ Lady’s fingers and toss them around for 3-5 minutes.

Remember this is to get rid of the slimy substance that would gradually stick to the pan.

To remove all traces of the sticky substance keep moving the okra around until the edges of the Okra are slightly brown, at this point, you will find there is no sticky ooze left.

Cooking the okra fry.

Transfer the Okra/lady’s fingers into a bowl, place the same skillet over medium heat and pour Oil followed by Onions, Garlic, Tomatoes, Salt to season. Cook until the Onions are Soft.

Add the Okra to the skillet and cook for 2 minutes, sprinkle chilli flecks and stir-fry for another minute or until the Lady’s fingers turn soft. season with Salt if you need.

Serve warm with a bowl of rice.

© jehan yusoof
Cuisine: Sri Lankan / Category: Sri Lankan
Each recipe on this blog has been written with great care and love to the best of my ability with you in mind.
It’s free and on the blog, for you to try anytime.

All I ask is that you do not save it on any apps, recipe boxes or online groups which will affect me as a food blogger and the growth of this blog. I would appreciate if you only share the link rather than the full recipe. 

All images and text on this website are protected by copyright.

 

 

 

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  1. chitra says

    July 18, 2017 at 4:03 pm

    when do you add the oil?

    Reply
    • jehan says

      July 19, 2017 at 5:12 am

      Chitra, thanks for pointing my mistake, just amended the recipe. the oil is added just before including the Onions, garlic to sautee.

      Reply
  2. Joseph Van Reyk says

    October 8, 2019 at 12:22 am

    Excellent result very tastythank you

    Reply
    • jehan says

      October 8, 2019 at 10:09 am

      Hi Joseph,
      You are most welcome.

      Reply

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