Okra Balado: Stir-Fried Okra in Chilli Tomato Sauce (Vegan)

Method8 steps · about 30 min

1. 1

   Step 1: Blend the chillies and garlic (2 cloves) into a fine paste.

   Uses 5 big red chillies, stem removed · 2 bird’s eye chillies, stem removed · 2 cloves garlic, peeled

2. 2

   Step 2: In a wok, heat the cooking oil (3 tbsp) up over high heat.

   Uses 3 tbsp cooking oil

3. 3

   Step 3: Add the shallots (5). Saute until they soften, around 3 min.

   Sauté okra shallots · 3 minUses heated cooking oil · 5 shallots, peeled and sliced

4. 4

   Step 4: Add the blended chilli paste. Saute until the liquid has evaporated, around 3 min.

   Fry okra chilli paste · 3 minUses softened shallots in oil · chilli-garlic paste

5. 5

   Step 5: Add the lemongrass (1 stalk) and tomato (1). Saute until the tomatoes are well-cooked, and the colour turns into a deep orange. Around 7 min.

   Cook tomato sauce · 7 minUses fried chilli paste and shallots · 1 stalk lemongrass, sliced and bruised · 1 tomato, chopped

6. 6

   Step 6: Add salt (to taste) and lime leaves (3). Mix well.

   Uses cooked tomato-chilli sauce · Salt to taste · 3 lime leaves

7. 7

   Step 7: Add the sliced okra (200 g) and increase the heat to high. Fry for about 5 minutes, until the okra is cooked and its sliminess diminishes. Do not add water; lower the heat if the mixture threatens to scorch.

   Fry okra in balado sauce · 5 minUses seasoned balado sauce · 200 g okra, sliced

8. 8

   Step 8: Serve immediately with the 2 lime wedges.

   Uses finished okra balado · 2 lime wedges