Go Back
Okra Recipe with Cumin

Okra Recipe with Cumin, Asafoetida and Green Chilies Recipe

Okra cooked dry on low heat with cumin, asafoetida, onion, and green chilies in about 15 to 20 minutes. We add lemon when the okra hits the pot to stop any sliminess.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 5 People
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Indian
Calories: 320
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 kilo okra cut into 1cm rounds
  • 100 g oil
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds
  • 2 pinches asafoetida
  • 1 medium onion sliced thin
  • 15 green chilies chopped into rounds
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 lemon

Method
 

Dry and Prep the Okra:
  1. Wash okra and pat completely dry before cutting.
  2. Cut off tops and tails and slice into roughly 1cm rounds. Set aside in a bowl with the lemon next to it.
  3. Prepare everything else on a plate: sliced onion, chopped green chilies, cumin seeds, asafoetida, and salt.
Heat the Oil, Add Cumin, Then Asafoetida:
  1. Heat 100g oil in a wide pot on medium flame.
  2. Add cumin seeds and let them crackle for a few seconds.
  3. Add asafoetida right after and give it only 2 to 3 seconds in the oil, then move on immediately so it does not turn bitter.
Fry the Onion, Then Add the Green Chilies:
  1. Add sliced onion and stir on medium flame until it softens and colors at the edges.
  2. Add chopped green chilies and stir together for about a minute.
Add the Okra, Squeeze Lemon In Right Away, Cook Covered:
  1. Add all the okra and stir through the onion and chili mixture.
  2. Squeeze the lemon over the okra immediately. Add salt and stir once.
  3. Drop the flame to low and put the lid on.
  4. Check and stir every 5 minutes, replacing the lid each time.
  5. Cook for 15 to 20 minutes until pieces are soft through the middle, darker green, and no sliminess remains.
  6. If still slightly sticky at 20 minutes, remove the lid and cook 3 to 4 more minutes on low.

Notes

Dry the okra completely before cutting. Any surface moisture makes sliminess start the moment okra hits the hot oil.
Squeeze lemon the instant okra goes into the pot, not a moment after. Once slime sets, adding lemon will not fix it.