Turai, Chinese Okra AKA Angled Luffa Gourd is a vegetable that is very low in calories and covers about 20% of RDA of Vitamin C (WOW!). Believe it or not that is true. This simplistic Turai a dish that is truly ‘home-cooking’….Try this great version with Methi (my Fav) and see how you like it.
Ingredients:
Chinese Okra (Turai) – 1
Oil – 1 tbsp
Cumin Seeds – 1/2 tsp
Onion – 1, medium, finely chopped
Ginger – 1 tbsp, minced
Garlic – 1 tbsp, minced
Turmeric – 1/4 tsp
Fenugreek Leaves ( Methi) – 1/2 cup, packed, finely chopped
Tomato – 2, medium, finely chopped
Green Chili – to taste, finely chopped
Garam Masala – 1/2 tsp
Salt – to taste
Water – 1/2 cup
Method:
1. Peel the ridges of the Turai and cut into semi-circle discs.
2. In a wok-style pan, heat the oil on medium heat.
3. Add the Cumin Seeds and allow them to splutter.
4. Add in Onions, Ginger and Garlic. Cook till they turn brown.
5. Add the Chinese Okra (Turai) and saute for 2-3 minutes.
6. Add the Turmeric, Green Chilies and Fenugreek leaves.
7. Saute for another minute till the leaves wilt.
8. Add in the Tomatoes, Cover and cook for 5 minutes.
9. Add in the Salt, Garam Masala and mix well.
10. Add Water, cover and cook till the Turai is soft and cooked.
11. Serve with Chapatis or Rice. Serves 2-3 ( depending on the size of the Chinese Okra)
Tips:
1. Use 1 cube of frozen Fenugreek Leaves when fresh is not in available.
2. Substitute the Fenugreek with Spinach (1 cup) to make it more kid-friendly and a nice change.
3. Don’t go by the looks and simplicity of this dish…give it a shot and you will love the taste.
4. Adjust the water amount if you like the turai softer or more firm.
great recipe. it looks, smells and tastes superb.
I used 4 Tarai and used methi as suggested.
thank you
Where’s the video for this recipe? All I see is a picture of the finished dish but no video. I looked three times just in case i was not noticing it.
Hi Pinal,
This is one of our older posts…it does not have a video :(.
I thought all your recipes have video….sooo upset!
One more thing, is the chinese okra the same thing as “Indian Turiya”?
Yes, Turiya is also known as Chinese Okra.
Hi Pinal,
So sorry….this was one of our very first posts to SMTC (when we did not have so many videos).
Wonderful receipe!! I tried it without onions…simply fantastic !!
Thanks a lot !!
You ladies rock as always 🙂
Really good recipe. A very nice alternative to the regular boring Turai dishes i make :).
Thx,
P
Hi,
i am going to use the courgettes, the normal Turai as i don’t have chinese okra. hopefull it comes out just as nice.
Hi Priti,
Do give us your feedback 🙂
The recipe is interesting. Well but chinese okra is not turai. They are two very different vegetables.
Hi Bhavika,
If you are using frozen Methi leaves: after you thaw out the methi leaves, you have to sqeeze out the water and add only the leaves to the dish.
TIP:Sprinkle some salt on the methi leaves (fresh or frozen) and set it aside for 10-15 mins if you want to remove the bitterness frm the methi. Then squeeze the water/juice and than add to the dish.
Hope that helps:)
Hi,
I tried using frozen mehti leaves.
But have one question after thawing it , it was very watery and could not see the leaves.
Can u tell me wat has gone wrong?
Naz, I turai (average size) has been used for this recipe.
please let me know how many turai’s to use.
thanks
rgds
naz
Hi Palak,
You can buy Turai at an Indian or Oriental grocery stores. Infact the Walmart in our area has also started keeping it now…
You can find it in the fresh produce section. It is a long green vegetable with ridges on it.
hello didi,
i read Turai[Chinese Okra] but i don’t know turai. where i can buy this Turai[chinese okra] which store & which section? ple.. reply me.
i m waiting your reply.
thank you.
PALAK
This is a new combination, I always wonder how to cook chinese okra. Will try this recipe.
Yes, Kustoori/Qasoori/Kasuri Methi can be substituted for fresh methi. Use it exactly the same way and add it in at the same time. Enjoy!
Can we use qasoori methi, if I don’t have the fresh methi leaves?
That’s a new combination for me – I never cooked turai with methi before. Thanks for the idea.