Name: Stir-fried okra with garlic and ginger
Yield: 2
Ingredients: 250 gms okra; 2 tbsp vegetable oil; 10 gm (2cm) ginger, finely chopped; 1 large garlic clove, finely chopped; 1 long red chilli, seeds removed, thinly sliced; 2 tbsp chicken stock or water; 1 tbsp light soy sauce; ¼ tsp caster sugar, or to taste; Coarsely chopped coriander, to serve

Stir-fried okra with garlic and ginger

It's the vegetable that divides even vegetable-lovers. But try it like this, with garlic, ginger and chilli, and perhaps those okra-haters will be converted.

Okra, also known as ladies’ fingers, divides people – some love it, and others hate it for its mucilaginous quality. Stir-frying it briefly, however, means the okra is less slimy in texture, and it’s also fast and delicious. Look for bright green pods with no blemishes and tips that will snap off like fresh green beans.

Ingredients

250 gms okra

2 tbsp vegetable oil

10 gm (2cm) ginger, finely chopped

1 large garlic clove, finely chopped

1 long red chilli, seeds removed, thinly sliced

2 tbsp chicken stock or water

1 tbsp light soy sauce

¼ tsp caster sugar, or to taste

Coarsely chopped coriander, to serve

Method

1.Blanch okra in a large saucepan of boiling salted water until bright green and crisp (10 seconds). Drain, refresh, then drain well and pat dry with paper towels. Trim and discard stems.

2.Heat a wok over high heat. Add oil and swirl to coat. Add ginger and stir-fry until fragrant (30 seconds), then reduce heat to medium, add garlic and chilli and stir-fry until soft and fragrant (1 minute).

3.Add stock, soy sauce and sugar, bring to a simmer, then add okra and toss to warm through. Season to taste and top with coriander to serve.

Tony Tan

Styling by Lynsey Fryers