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Okra is such an interesting vegetable – some love it and some hate it. We are a fan! We usually cook this veggie with this recipe – by a simple Chinese Stir Fry Okra with garlic and dried chili peppers.

What is Okra

Okra aka Okro is a vegetable used in many cuisines across the world – such as West Africa, Ethiopia, China, and more!

Okra is the edible green pods of the plant, and it’s known for it’s ‘slimey’ or ‘gooey’ texture when cooked. One way to make it less slimey is to cook it with something acidic, such as tomatoes, or soak it in vinegar for half an hour prior to cooking.

However if you are like me and don’t remind the slime, you can stir fry it as is!

Okra is also high in nutrients including vitamins C which helps support immune systems. It also is high in K1 which is known for supporting blood clotting.

It also contains antioxidants that may prevent inflammation and decrease risks for serious illnesses. It contains polyphenols which support heart and brain health.

Unlike most veggies, Okra also contains protein.

Dried Chili Peppers

I like to use dried chili peppers with this dish to add some spiciness. However, it is completely optional.

For those of you that like spicy, this Dried Chili Peppers is a great ingredient to have around the house.

Depending on the one you buy it could be spicy vs. not that spicy – there’s literally thousands of varieties.

The most common one I use is Tianjin pepper, aka Chao Tian Jiao, which actually directly translate to facing the sky because they grow pointing upwards! Chao Tian Jiao are commonly used in Hunan and Sichuan cuisine, so for example, often used in Kung Pao Chicken!

You should be able to find it at your local Asian super market, however, if you do not have one near you they are also available online, such as Amazon here.

If you are looking to learn more about Chinese sauces, condiments and other pantry items, check out my article here!

How to Stir Fry Okra?

First gather your ingredients:

• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 dried chili peppers (optional)
• 3 cloves of garlic, smashed
• 1 lb okra
• Salt, as desired

Prepare ingredients prior to stir fry – The dried chili peppers will need to be broken down to be more spicy. Break chili peppers into 3 parts. For the okra, using a knife cut it into 1-inch length. Smash the garlic.

Now heat vegetable oil in a wok or cooking pan over medium high heat. Add the dried chili peppers and garlic. Allow it to cook for about half a minute or a minute, until it starts sizzling and is fragrant.

Add okra to the skillet, along with 2 tbsp of water. Stir fry everything together for about 5 minutes or until okra is cooked thoroughly.

Season with salt to taste and stir to combine.

Remove from heat and serve.

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