Okra Patty Surprise
For once, the story is not about my goof up.
I have decided to pick on my sis-in-law today.
Yayyay Yippee yay.....(this is my pick-on-sis-in-law dance tune)
My sis-in-law had very little kitchen experience before her marriage.
Oh, but she was much better than me - she could make lovely coffee - even back then. That's a very positive sign.
She was working in Bangalore and was staying with us.
One day, at the office, I get a call from her.
"Hi Chechi", she says excitedly. Chechi in Malayalam means elder sister. Technically, I am her Edthiamma, elder bro's wife. But she decided to dignify me with chechi.
"Hi", I say.
"When you come home today evening, there is a surprise for you at home", sis-in-law continues and refuses to divulge any more. But, my pestering makes her give up her resolve and she agreed to give me a clue. "When you come home, you will have dinner ready in the refrigerator", she says. She also reminded me that she had the night shift that day and would miss my first comments/reactions about the surprise she planned for me.
Yayyay Yippee yippee yayyayye.....(this is my don't-have-to-cook-dinner dance tune)
I dance my happy dance.
I don't have to cook dinner tonight. What a happy thought.
I did my happy dance again.
Finally, it was evening and I could not wait to go home and have dinner. Did I mention that I was carrying at that time? No? OK? So, I was 5 months pregnant with Sonshine and ravenously hungry all the time.
I reach home and take the dinner out from the refrigerator.
Rice - wow!! nice and fluffy.
Moru Curry (a gravy dish made with buttermilk) - This was leftover from yesterday.
This is it ? So, where is my surprise? I expected more.
I look around and I find my surprise. Oh boy!!!!
I was surprised. It took a minute to realize what I was looking at.
What was looking back at me, was, in fact, what was supposed to be a bhindi (okra) stir fry, but turned out to be a sticky okra patty. My sis-in-law had added water while cooking the okra and this bonded the okra pieces together, that the pieces refused to separate.
And I was really glad that my sis-in-law was not there to see my reaction to the surprise she had planned for me. Otherwise, that would have been a surprise for her.
She has come a long way from the Garlic Okra patty days and is an excellent cook. Don't believe me? Ask her to invite you to her home and ask her to cook chicken biriyani for you.
Garlic Okra
Ingredients
- 12 oz Okra frozen cut
- 3 cloves Garlic crushed
- ½ tsp Cayenne Pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp Coconut Pieces
- 3-4 Curry Leaves
- ½ tsp Mustard Seeds
- Salt to taste
- 2 tsp Canola oil plush a little more for brushing
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degree Fahrenheit.
- Grease aluminium foil with little oil and bake the okra(bhindi) for about 20 minutes, till the okra is dry to touch. (See recipe notes)
- Heat a pan, add oil.
- When the oil is hot, add the mustard seeds. When the splutter, add the coconut pieces.
- When the coconut pieces start to brown, add the garlic and and curry leaves. Saute for a minute or two.
- Sprinkle the cayenne pepper and mix it well.
- Mix in the okra(bhindi) and salt and mix well so that okra(bhindi) is well coated with spices.
- Serve hot with rice.
Notes
Aruna says
Adding coconut pieces is an interesting concept to bhindi fry. Give us more innovative idea! 🙂
Framed Recipes says
Thank you Aruna.
Sandhya says
I had never thought about baking Okra. That is a useful info for me.
Framed Recipes says
Thank you. I am glad you found it useful.