Okra Chickpea And Tomato Curry Food

EASY & AUTHENTIC BHINDI MASALA (OKRA CURRY)

Steps:

• Wash and dry the okra. Chop the okra into 1/2-3/4 inch pieces, discarding the stems. The easiest way to do this is to line a few of them up and cut them at the same time. Sprinkle 1/4 tsp salt on the okra and mix. Set aside.
• Heat a wide-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat and add the oil. Once hot, add half of the chopped okra. Stir-fry the okra, stirring occasionally, for 4-5 minutes or until the slime disappears and the okra starts to crisp and brown. I like to sprinkle a bit more salt on the okra here. Use a slotted spoon to remove the okra from the pan and set it aside. Repeat with the remaining batch. Remove the pan from heat, and wipe clean to remove any excess seeds, if needed.
• Heat another 2 tbsp of oil over high heat and add the onions. Sauté until the onions turn golden, about 10 minutes. If the onions start sticking to the bottom of the pan, deglaze with a tablespoon or 2 of water. And add the garlic and ginger, if using, and sauté for 30 seconds. Add the cubed tomatoes and cook until the tomatoes soften, about 3 minutes. Stir in the remaining 3/4 tsp salt, cumin seeds and spice powders (coriander, cumin, turmeric and red chili). The oil should start separating from the masala or base of the curry. Add the fried okra and green chili pepper. Sauté for 2 minutes. Taste and adjust salt.
• Lower the heat and allow the okra to simmer for a few minutes, stirring occasionally. Garnish with cilantro and a squeeze of lemon, if desired. This dry curry is typically served with roti, naan, or other bread but can also be eaten as a side with rice.

CURRIED OKRA WITH CHICKPEAS AND TOMATOES

Steps:

• If using fresh okra, trim, leaving tops intact, being careful not to cut into pods.
• Heat oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then sauté onion and garlic with ginger and curry powder, stirring, 2 minutes. Add tomatoes with their juice, chickpeas, and water and boil, uncovered, stirring occasionally, 3 minutes. Stir in okra, salt, and pepper and simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, until okra is tender, about 10 minutes.

COUSCOUS WITH TOMATOES, OKRA AND CHICKPEAS

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a large, heavy soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat and add the onion. Cook, stirring, until it is tender, about 5 minutes, and stir in the garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt and the spices. Stir together for about 1 minute and add the tomatoes. Cook, stirring often, until the tomatoes have cooked down slightly, 5 to 10 minutes. Add the chickpeas, 2 quarts water and the bouquet garni. Bring to a gentle boil, reduce the heat, cover and simmer 1 1/2 hours.
• Meanwhile, trim the stems off the okra and place in a large bowl. Salt generously, douse with the vinegar and let sit for 30 minutes to an hour. Drain the okra and rinse thoroughly. Set aside.
• After 1 1/2 hours, season the chickpeas with salt to taste and add the harissa, tomato paste, red pepper and okra. Bring back to a simmer and simmer 30 to 45 minutes, or until okra and beans are tender. Remove a cup of broth to use for flavoring the couscous. Stir in the chopped fresh herbs and simmer another few minutes. Taste and adjust salt. The stew should be spicy and flavorful.
• Reconstitute and steam the couscous (see recipe). Serve the couscous in wide bowls or mound onto plates and top with the stew. Pass more harissa at the table.

CURRIED OKRA WITH TOMATO

Steps:

• If fresh okra is used, trim off tough stems.
• If frozen okra is used, defrost and drain.
• Put the tomatoes in a saucepan and bring to the boil.
• Cook, stirring often to prevent sticking, until the tomatoes are reduced to about two cups.
• Heat the oil in a saucepan over medium high heat and add onions and garlic.
• Cook, stirring, until the mixture is softened.
• Sprinkle with curry powder and ground coriander and cook briefly.
• Stir in the tomatoes and cook about five minutes; reduce heat if mixture is sticking.
• Stir in chilies and fresh coriander.
• Add the okra, chicken broth and salt and pepper to taste.
• Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes or until the okra is tender.