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Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Okra /Ladyfingers With Tangy And Hot Dried Shrimps Garnishing



This dish reminds me of my grandma...she used to make blanched okra/ladyfingers for us. The most special about this dish  is she will mix  pounded raw dried shrimps together with lots of bird's eye chillies , garlic and add squeeze garden grown calamasi juice over the lovely mixture and pour over the blanched okra.  This dish alone is a real appetizer and that was the only way my siblings and myself will eat okra  those days when we were younger!  As many of us know that okra has mucilage (    is a thick, gluey substance produced by most plants and some microorganisms. )   and not many people will love this green but if I tell you how great it is you will want to eat more of this green everyday :)


You can either cook them in curry or blanch it and serve it with sambal or my grandma style...mix the pounded raw dried shrimps with chopped chillies, fresh garlic and calamasi juice and a pinch of salt to taste...you will simply love this tangy and hot dried shrimps garnishing ....one word it is delicious !  No oil and it is so healthy.  

Talking about healthy...let me tell you about Okra and its health benefits.  Besides being low in calories it is aplenty with vitamins of the category A, Thiamin, B6, C, folic acid, riboflavin, calcium, zinc and dietary fiber. Eating okra is much recommended for pregnant woman besides other for it is rich in folic acid which is essential in the neural tube formation of the fetus during 4-12 weeks of gestation period in the mother's womb.  Wow...this is great news for pregnant women and nutritionists claims that the mucilage and fiber found in okra helps adjust blood sugar by regulating its absorption in the small intestine and it helps reabsorb water and traps excess cholesterol, metabolic toxins and surplus bile in its mucilage and slips it out through the stool. Due to greater percentage of water in the bulk it thereby prevents constipation, gas and bloating in the abdomen. With this information, I think I will add more of this green into my meal plan :) 


Okra/Ladyfingers With Tangy & Hot Dried Shrimps Garnishing


Ingredients:-

15 pieces of young okra

(A)
1/2 cup dried shrimps - soak and pound coarsely
5 pips of garlic- chopped fine
7 bird's eye chillies - chopped fine

4 calamasi - squeeze for juice
salt to taste

Method:-

Mix together ingredients A in a bowl and leave aside.

Blanched okra in hot boiling water , with 1 tbsp olive oil added , till it is just cooked. Take out and drain off excess water . Cut off the head and end part of the okra and arrange neatly in a row on a serving plate.  Garnish with the the dried shrimps mixture and this dish can be served as appetizer or a main dish with hot steaming rice.







Enjoy and have a nice day :)



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11 comments:

  1. Your grandma is a good cook . It shows in YOu Elin! That really is simple and DELICIOUS!!!!!

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  2. Yum! Yum! Haven't had that ulam for a while now. Now craving for it - must have some soon...

    Oh? The dog bun? The one you gave your very good friend? Humph! I'm definitely not going over to that other blog to see.... See only, what for? Hehehehehe!!!! Merajuk dah!

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  3. Hubi like this. Normally ould just celur and he ate with kicap manis

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  4. I love okra...in any form of cooking! This is definitely a easy and delicious way to prepare it, I'm already drooling think how yummy this it! Lol!

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  5. I love okra too! and Elin..both of us have the same taste..hehee...

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  6. I made something almost similiar in presentation few days back, hehehe. My hubby hates this, but luckily my MIL loves this, so when she's back, I take the opportunity to cook this.
    I'll try your topping next time.

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  7. I am totally enticed with this great looking okra dish!

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  8. Authentic dishes!! i remember my grandma's best dish is the ginger stewed duck! i miss that dish very much now come to think of it..

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  9. Elin, this sounds very interesting. My husband loves okra so I suspect I'll be making this dish very soon. I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary

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  10. I also heard pregnant ladies are encouraged to take okras for easier delivery due to the mucilage..it will 'smoothen' your delivery 'process'! delicious toppings!

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  11. Zurin...hahaha you make me happy :) yea...it is simple and delish !


    Arthur...don't merajuk ...I promised that I will bake some thing for you when you next come to Ipoh :)

    Kathy...ohh you must try this..it is like ulam :)


    BeeBee...haha it is...I think Hokkien loves this dish...like the ulam :)


    Anncoo...yea..in most things..great bakers thinks alike :)


    Wendy...hope you this is ulam style of preparation :)


    Angie...thanks, I was hoping more will be enticed by it :p


    Claire...you must try this simple ulam style of cooking your okra :)


    Mary...I know you are adventurous..do try making this for your hubby :)


    Lena...yup good for pregnant ladies and good for us too :)

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