Okra/Lady's Finger Fry

Ingredients:
Okra/Lady's Finger - 1 Lb
Onion - 1 (Large)
Garlic Cloves - 4
Curry Leaves - Few Stalks
Turmeric Powder - 1/4 tsp.
Red Chilli Powder - 2 tsp.
Mustard Seeds - 1 tsp.
Cumin Seeds - 1 tsp.
Salt - To Taste
Oil - 2 tbsp.


Method:

Wash the okra and dry it nicely with a clean kitchen towel or a paper towel.

Chop it into small slices and set it aside.

Chop the onions finely.Crush the garlic cloves and keep it aside.

Heat a pan with 2 tbsp. of oil and add mustard seeds and let it crack.

Then add cumin seeds and curry leaves and fry for few seconds.

Add finely chopped onions,crushed garlic cloves and a pinch of salt
and saute till the onions and garlic cloves changes its color.

Now add chopped okra/lady's finger and stir it well.

Let it cook for 5 mins.Then add turmeric powder,red chilli powder
and enough salt and mix it well.

Allow it to cook until the okra/lady's finger is tender and fully cooked
stirring frequently.

Take care not to burn the okra.Remove from the fire and serve it with
sambar rice or rasam rice or curd rice.

Nutritional Information

Okra contains vitamins A and C and is a good source of iron and calcium.It also contains starch,fat,ash, thiamine and riboflavin.No wonder,Cleopatra and Yang Guifei maintained their beauties.

For 1/2 cup sliced, cooked okra	For 1 cup raw okra
Calories – 25 Dietary Fiber – 2 grams Protein – 1.52 grams Carbohydrates – 5.76 grams Vitamin A – 460 IU Vitamin C – 13.04 mg Folic acid – 36.5 micrograms Calcium – 50.4 mg Iron – 0.4 mg Potassium – 256.6 mg Magnesium – 46 mg	Calories – 33 Fiber – 3.2g Total Fat – 0.1g Protein – 2.0g Carbohydrate – 7.6g Vitamin A – 660 IU Vitamin C – 21mg Folate – 87.8mcg Magnesium – 57mg

 

Health Benefits of Okra

1.The superior fiber found in okra helps to stabilize the blood sugar by curbing the rate
 at which sugar is absorbed from the intestinal tract.

2.Okra's mucilage binds cholesterol and bile acid carrying toxins dumped into
it by the filtering liver.

3.Okra helps lubricate the large intestines due to its bulk laxative qualities.The okra fiber
absorbs water and ensures bulk in stools.This helps prevent and improve constipation.

4.Unlike harsh wheat bran,which can irritate or injure the intestinal tract,okra's
mucilage soothes,and okra facilitates elimination more comfortably by its slippery
characteristic.Okra binds excess cholesterol and toxins (in bile acids).These,if not
evacuated,will cause numerous health problems.Okra also assures easy passage out
of waste from the body.Okra is completely non-toxic,non-habit forming,has no adverse
side effects,is full of nutrients and is economically within reach of most individuals unlike
over-the-counter drugs.

5.Okra fiber is excellent for feeding the good bacteria (probiotics).This contributes to
 the health of the intestinal tract.

6.Okra is a supreme vegetable for those feeling weak, exhausted, and suffering
from depression.

7.Okra is used for healing ulcers and to keep joints limber.It helps to neutralize acids,
being very alkaline and provides a temporary protective coating for the digestive tract.

8.Okra treats lung inflammation,sore throat and irritable bowel syndrome.

9.Okra has been used successfully in experimental blood plasma replacements.

10.Okra is good for summer heat treatment.

11.Okra is good for constipation.

12.Okra is good in normalizing the blood sugar and cholesterol level.

13.Okra is good for asthma.Okra's vitamin C is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory,
which curtail the development of asthma symptoms.

14.Okra is good for atherosclerosis.

15.Okra is believed to protect some forms of cancer expansion,especially colorectal cancer.

16.Eating okra helps to support the structure of capillaries.

17.Some information shows that eating okra lowers the risk of cataracts.

18.Okra is good for preventing diabetes.

19.Okra protects you from pimples and maintains smooth and beautiful skin.

There are other medicinal uses of okra like its protection against trans fats.