Crispy Okra Salad

Name: Crispy Okra Salad
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 1 1/4 teaspoons garam masala; 1/4 teaspoon amchur powder (optional, see Note); Vegetable oil, for frying; 1 pound young okra — halved lengthwise and cut into long, thin strips; Kosher salt; 1/2 small red onion, very thinly sliced (3/4 cup); 1 medium tomato — cored, seeded and sliced into thin strips; 1/4 cup coarsely chopped cilantro; 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

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In 2018, Food & Wine named this recipe one of our 40 best: This method for preparing okra, where it's sliced into thin strips and fried until crispy, is the brainchild of Indian chef Suvir Saran. He first thought to cut okra into strips and not rounds when he was just a kid. As an adult, he took it one step further and incorporated the crispy okra into this delicious spiced salad with crunchy onions and fresh tomatoes.

By Suvir Saran

Updated on October 5, 2018

Total Time:

50 mins

Yield:

4

Ingredients

1 1/4 teaspoons garam masala
1/4 teaspoon amchur powder (optional, see Note)
Vegetable oil, for frying
1 pound young okra — halved lengthwise and cut into long, thin strips
Kosher salt
1/2 small red onion, very thinly sliced (3/4 cup)
1 medium tomato — cored, seeded and sliced into thin strips
1/4 cup coarsely chopped cilantro
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Directions

In a small bowl, combine the garam masala with the amchur powder.
In a large, deep skillet, heat 1 inch of vegetable oil to 350°. Working in batches, fry the okra strips, stirring a few times, until golden and crisp, about 4 minutes per batch. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the fried okra to a large paper towel–lined plate to drain. Sprinkle with some of the spice mixture and salt.
In a large bowl, gently toss the fried okra with the red onion, tomato, cilantro and lemon juice. Season the salad with more of the spice mixture and salt and serve immediately.

© Greg DuPree

Notes

Amchur powder, which is made from dried green mangoes, adds a fruity, tangy note to this dish. It's available at Indian markets and from Kalustyan's (800-352-3451 or kalustyans.com).