Red Saag and Okra (Omra)
A traditional Indian dish of greens (saag) cooked with okra in a spiced oil base until tender and flavorful.
Ingredients
- 1 pound Greens (spinach, mustard greens, or mixed saag), thoroughly cleaned and washed (Must be thoroughly cleaned and drained)
- 8 ounces Okra (omra), peeled if large (Half fry if large before adding to the dish)
- 3 tablespoons Cooking oil (For frying)
- 0.5 teaspoon Ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon Red chili powder (Adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon Ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon Ground coriander
- 0.5 teaspoon Ground ginger
- 0.5 teaspoon Ground garlic or garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Salt (To taste)
- 1 cup Water (For cooking)
Instructions
- 1Thoroughly clean and wash the greens multiple times to remove all dirt and grit. Place in a colander and allow all water to drain away completely.
- 2If the okra is large, peel it and half fry it in a separate pan until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. If small, simply trim the ends and set aside.
- 3In a large pot or deep pan, warm the oil over medium heat. Add the turmeric, red chili powder, cumin, coriander, ginger, garlic, and salt. Fry the ground spices for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- 4Add the drained greens and prepared okra to the pot with the fried spices. Stir well to coat everything with the spiced oil. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until the greens wilt and become crisp, about 5-7 minutes.
- 5Add the water to the pot and stir to combine. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook over a slow fire until the greens and okra are completely tender, about 20-25 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- 6Once the greens and okra are tender and the flavors have melded together, taste and adjust salt if needed. Serve hot with rice or flatbread.