SRI LANKAN OKRA SALAD (BANDAKKA/LADIES FINGERS) VEGAN/VEGETARIAN

An easy Sri Lankan okra salad that is a refreshing addition to your menu. 

In Sri Lanka, it is commonly known as 'Ladies' Fingers'. The Sinhala term is 'Bandakka', which is very similar sounding to the Tamil name 'Vendakkai'. The highlighted words take you to this recipe on video. 

What I love about this salad are the tangy flavors, the freshness of the ingredients and the semi-cooked, slightly crunchy texture of the okra. 

I make mine with frozen okra. One reason I use frozen vegetables whenever possible is that they are as fresh the day they were plucked, are cheaper, and ready to use. With no prep time before cooking, I can get more work done in my day. 

Never defrost vegetables before using unless it is indicated on the packaging. When using them even in curries, use frozen vegetables right out of the freezer just as you would use fresh vegetables.

This okra salad works well with both fresh and frozen okra. 

Frozen cut okra is usually cut into 1/2 -inch thick slices and exactly how thick it should be for this salad, because if it is sliced thinner than that, it would loosen up more seeds when warming it up while stirring. The other reason is that okra breaks easily when cooking, so thinly sliced okra will surely break up during mixing. 

While there are no strict ratios, this recipe can be a starting point if you are an emerging cook. Feel free to add as much or as little of the ingredients as you like. Double the recipe if you feel like it. The possibilities are endless!

Some Tips: 

-Use a wider pan to help the moisture evaporate faster.

-Use a pan that's large enough for the okra pieces to move around   freely. This prevents a soggy mess.

- A wooden spoon works best when stirring the okra

- Do use a flat wooden spoon or a narrow, long wooden handle of a spoon if available to stir the okra. It helps the sliminess to adhere to the spoon and come off the okra.

Click here to watch the video on my YouTube channel. Or copy and paste the following link on your browser. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcmZ0Ic3OAE


SRI LANKAN OKRA SALAD


Ingredients:

1 lb cut okra (fresh or frozen)
1/2 big onion (thinly sliced)
1/2 tomato (chopped)
2-3 green chillies (sliced diagonally)
Juice from 1/4 large lime (More if needed)
Ground pepper as needed
Salt to taste

Method:

• Pre-Heat a heavy pan on high heat for 2 minutes (lighter pan wil take less time)

• Add the okra & stir gently, preferably in a round motion to remove the sliminess from the okra 

• Stop stirring for 30 seconds (keep the pan open)and start again. Continue this alternating pattern for 3-4 minutes

• The okra will have a crunch at this stage unlike a curry where it can be really soft

• In about 3-4 minutes the bottom of the pan turns brown from the dried up moisture

• Turn off heat and transfer the okra immediately into a bowl 

• Add all the other ingredients while the okra is still hot. Mix well

• Taste for salt and adjust. Also adjust lime to your taste. Keep tasting and adjusting until it reaches a balanced flavor to your liking. 

• Serve immediately. This Okra Salad turns pale (an olive green color) the longer it is kept due to the lime.