Stir-Fried Okra/ Lady's Fingers

Okra or Lady's Fingers as Malaysian called it is often found in stir-frying, in curry, in young tau foo or simply steam it whole.  But in the US, it is often found in gumbo or dip in batter and deep-fried.  When the seed pods are cooked, it produces "goo" or slime.  To prevent sliminess, you can keep the pod intact.  I actually enjoyed the slime and loved this veggie.  Do you like okra too?

I am sharing an easy way for stir-frying okra.  Ingredients are easily available in the Asian supermarket.  This method is without using the shrimp paste in oil and thus different from my previous method.

Ingredients:

• 1 bowl of okra, washed, cut off the head and end and sliced thinly like above picture.
• 1 big or 2 small shallots, thinly sliced
• 2 Tbsp. of dried shrimps, soften in hot water, drained
• 2 Thai chili (I used green), sliced
• Fish sauce to taste
• 1/2 tsp. sugar

Method:

1.  Heat up a wok.  When heated, add in cooking oil.  Add in dried shrimps, shallots and chili and stir-fry until fragrant.

2.  Add in okra and stir-fry until okra is soften and cooked.  Add a little water if needed.

3.  Season with fish sauce and sugar.  Stir-fry well and serve.