Do you like Okra? Are you hesitating to cook with it because it turns slimy for you? Been there, done that! It is neither pleasing to the eye nor to the taste buds to have slimy okra for a meal.
Bhindi fry, bhindi masala, sautéed bhindi, okra in gumbo, etc. - all super delicious dishes. Once you master the trick of making okra/bhindi without the sliminess, there are a gazillion dishes you can prepare for your loved ones.
Try these simple steps that might help you with the sliminess of the Okra.
Washing Okra
Add the okra to a big bowl. Wash & rinse them thoroughly with water.
Pat dry using a kitchen towel. Make sure okra is not damp and is completely dry. Make sure your cutting surface, knife, and hand are completely dry to ensure that okra does not turn slimy when cooking.
Don’t wash the okra after cutting them.
Reader Tip: If you have time, wash them the previous night and leave them open on the countertop (lightly cover them with a kitchen towel). Let them air dry. Use the next day.
Cooking
Use a large non-stick/well-seasoned cast iron pan.
Use a little more oil than you would typically use.
Use medium-high to high heat to cook. Keep an eye out, do not leave it unattended.
Do not cover while cooking. When you cover the skillet or frying pan, you are adding steam/moisture which makes the end result slimy.
Do not stir while cooking.
Work in batches if you need to. Do not overcrowd the cooking utensil.
Reader Tip: Do not add salt at the beginning. Add salt once the okra is cooked.
I bake the okra pieces (especially if I am using pre-cut, frozen okra) and then use them in the recipes. This basically dehydrating the okra pieces to reduce the sliminess.
Use a Souring Agent
Using a souring agent seems to reduce the sliminess of okra. Here are a few souring agents that you can try using depending on the cuisine/dish you are preparing.
- Add a spoon full of yogurt while cooking.
- Squeeze some lemon juice.
- Vinegar
- Amchur Powder
- Tamarind
Air Fryer
Recently I got an air fryer and I make okra with garlic and coconut pieces using my air fryer. It comes out perfect every single time.
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