‘Eating peanuts while pregnant cuts child’s risk of allergies’ – hmm! This research study made headlines on Christmas Eve, 2013 in Food Allergy circles. Now, I did eat tons of nuts but it did not help my son escape nut allergies. But, it did help me put on oodles of weight :)) However, one example like me does not a study make and it is definitely good news for all of us!
Dare I complain about the cold with Sochi Olympics in full swing?! Oh well – here in the North East we are getting bombarded by snow storms like never before – the only thing that is keeping me sane is the crackling fire and soul satisfying freshly made Allergy Friendly food in the comfort of my family room. Ye ye – it is bad manners to eat in the family room but try eating in a cold kitchenette when the outside temperature is 0 degrees 😀
So, today I welcome you to the warmth of my hearth with my son’s favorite lip smacking allergy friendly okra stir-fry (yup there is more to okra than the deep fried version) and a bowl of warm split mung bean (with skin) soup seasoned with sauteed onions and a dash of paprika (recipe for the soup in my next post)
Stir-fry Okra
- Prep time: 30 – 45 minutes
- Serves : 2
Let me be candid – frozen okra is just not as yum as the fresh ones in terms of texture and the high water content makes it too gooey. So, thaw and drain them completely before using. But if you have never handled fresh okra before. frozen okra is an acceptable alternative and it also cooks considerably faster.
Ingredients:
- Fresh or Frozen okra: 1 lb
- Oil: 1 Tbsp.
- Black mustard seeds or cumin seeds: 1/2 tsp (entirely optional)
- Dried red chilli: 1 (optional)
- Asafoetida: a pinch (ensure that it is wheat free. This is also optional)
- Salt to taste
Method:
- If you have fresh okra, wash them thoroughly under running water and dry them.
- Cut and discard the edges. Cut the remaining part of the okra into 1/2 inch thick rounds
- Heat the oil in a heavy bottomed vessel on medium heat. When the oil is hot add 1/2 tsp. mustard or cumin seeds. If using mustard seeds – let them stop sputtering before adding the red chili broken into 1. Stir for a few seconds.
- Now add the cut okra and mix it well. If using fresh okra, cover and cook for the first 10 minutes on low to medium heat. Then uncover and cook till done on medium flame.
- If using frozen okra – do not cover and cook. Stir very gently. It takes about 20 – 30 minutes to cook. Frozen okra cooks faster.
Tips:
- Remember okra does have a gooey substance that exudes when cut. If you are cutting okra for the first time – don’t freak out 🙂
- Okra is a delicate vegetable once it starts cooking – stir it gently and not too often.
- Serve it as an accompaniment to rice/quinoa/allergy friendly tortilla
Allergy Foodie 
I’m a new visitor to your blog. I’ve never attempted to cook okra, but this looks delicious! I’m always looking for new, allergy-friendly recipes, and will try this out. Thanks for the “goo” warning; that would have freaked me out. 🙂
Nice recipe you shared with us.I’ve heard first time that name but the recipe looks like tasty.Thanks for that.
I’ve actually never tried okra, but I hope to soon! Thank you for the recipe, can’t wait!
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Hi Anu,
I could not find a direct link to contact you, so I’ll have to leave it in your comments section and hope that you see it.
My 2.5 year old son is allergic to dairy. I was shocked to learn that the Affordable Care Act does not cover epinephrine injectors, life-saving medication for people with food allergies. I wrote a petition on change.org asking the US Government to mandate that all insurance plans cover epinephrine injectors. Please take a look and consider sharing this petition with your followers.
Thanks!
Lisa Kane
Here’s the link:
http://www.change.org/petitions/president-of-the-united-states-include-epinephrine-injectors-as-covered-medication-in-the-affordable-care-act?share_id=KtaGaXRmzV&utm_campaign=share_button_action_box&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=share_petition
It seems delicious and thanks for sharing the recipe. I am not pregnant but hopefully soon, when it happens, I will surely consider eating this one especially I know that it can help the child for not having any kind of allergies and that’s a big thing for me. Thanks for sharing the research about it here in your blog.