Ayurvedic soup with okra

What exactly is an okra? An okra is a fruiting vegetable traditionally found in Surinamese and Indian cuisine. Nowadays you can often also buy this vegetable in the supermarket. There are few calories in it and it is a versatile vegetable that can be prepared in many ways. You can cook or bake the okras, stew, stir-fry etc.... The taste of okra is a little bit similar to a green bean.

You only have to wash the okra and cut off the top, then the okra is ready for use. Old okra is a bit chewy so make sure you buy a young fresh pod.

This recipe is an Ayurvedic soup with okra.

Ingredients:

• • 5 small okras cut
    • into pieces 1 large tomato in coarse pieces
    •  
    • 1 onion in coarse pieces
      •  
      • 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds
        • 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
        •  
        • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
          • 1/2 teaspoon chili (or more to taste)
          •  
          • 1/2 teaspoon finely chopped ginger
            • 1 pinch Asafoetida (hung)
            • 1/2 tablespoon jaggery or palm sugar
            •  
            • 2 cups water
              •  
              • Ghee/butter or oil
                • Salt and pepper to taste

                 

                 

              • Method:

                 

                • Heat the ghee in the pan and add the mustard seeds, cumin seeds and asafoetida and heat until the mustard seeds jump.
                • Add the onion and bake until it becomes glassy.
                • Add the ginger, chili and turmeric together with the tomato and cook on medium heat for a few minutes.
                • Add the water, the jaggery and the okra's and let it cook for about 7 minutes.