Indian sweet and sour okra (bhindi) and chickpeas V

 

This is a very unusual dish, Indian sweet and sour okra (bhindi) and chickpeas makes a great quick meal or an excellent side dish, tender okra goes well with chickpeas in a tangy sauce.

I like okra (ladies fingers) but can only buy it when visiting a distant Asian supermarket, when freshly bought it also doesn't last long. Okra if you haven't cooked with it before musn't be washed, just wipe it with kitchen roll, cut off it's stalk and chop in rings, don't let it get near too much oil as it can go greasy in texture, don't put it in the fridge as damp air also affects it. Okra doesn't taste of much but I still like it, especially if cooked so it's still crunchy.

Ingredients:-

okra
tin chickpeas
onion
garlic 2 or 3 cloves
sugar (I used honey) 2tsp
tamarind puree 2tsp
mustard seeds 1tsp
turmeric 1/2tsp
cumin 1/2tsp
coriander 1/2tsp
chilli powder 1/2tsp
salt

Method
In a little oil fry the onions until they start to caramelize then add the mustard seeds and chopped garlic, which may pop so cover the pan, add the rest of the spices and the okra, fry for a minute or two then add the tamarind and honey and half a mug of water, simmer for a few minutes, check for sweet/sour  balance, maybe add a bit more honey/sugar or tamarind and, or salt.

Then add the drained washed chickpeas stir round and when hot serve.

Enjoy